HI 


ILLIN 


LIBRARY  OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
AT  URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 


973.74 


7 


US  HISTORICAL  8VRVJBT 


HISTORY 


OP    THE 


SEVENTH    REGIMENT 

ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY, 


FROM    ITS 


FIRST  MUSTER   INTO  THE  U.  S.  SERVICE,  APRIL  25,  1861, 


TO    ITS 

I 


MUSTER,  OUT,  JULY  9,  1865. 


BY 


D.  LEIB  AMBROSE. 


SPRINGFIELD,    ILL. 

ILLINOIS  JOURNAL   COMPANY, 

1868. 


TO    THE 

,  TOws,  ^toten  awl 

OF   THOSE  ^ 

OB'    THE 

SEVENTH  REGIMENT  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY 

WHO  FELL  IN  AMERICA'S  GREAT  STRUGGLE  FOR 
FREEDOM  AND  HUMANITY 

THIS  VOLUME 
IS  RESPECTFULLY  INSCRIBED 

BY 

THE 


64398 


INTKODUCTION. 


Histories  of  wars  are  seldom  written  by  eye  wit- 
nesses of  the  scenes  which  they  attempt  to  depict, 
and  the  events  which  they  pretend  to  describe ;  but 
are  generally  made  up  from  the  statements  of  those 
who  wish  to  gain  notoriety,  and  are  embellished  by  the 
aid  of  the  writer's  imagination.  To  write  a  perfect 
history  of  the  late  terrible  war  in  the  United  States, 
would  seem,  from  the  attempts  already  made,  to  be  an 
impossibility.  With  one  writer  we  have  a  good 
account  of  the  great  achievements  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  but  all  other  armies  are  ignored.  Another 
faithful  historian  will  give  a  correct  narrative  of  the 
war,  and  to  follow  him  will  be  to  follow  the  fortunes 
and  misfortunes  of  Butler,  Banks,  Pope  and  Fremont. 
In  all  of  these,  none  of  less  rank  than  a  brigade 
commander  receives  special  notice,  unless,  perchance, 
he  happens  at  some  time  to  meet  the  author  under 
peculiarly  favorable  circumstances.  While  it  cannot 
be  said  that  the  history  of  one  army  is  the  history  of 
all  armies,  yet  it  may  well  be  said  that  in  the  hard- 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 

ships,  dangers,  privations  and  glories  of  one  good 
soldier,  we  have  the  history  of  every  good  soldier 
who  belonged  to  the  Union  army.  They  all  bore  the 
same  burdens,  fought  the  same,  or  similar  battles, 
and  had  adventures  identically  the  same.  So  with 
companies  and  regiments,  which  are  the  foundation 
of  armies.  The  history  of  one  is  the  history  of  all. 
In  the  following  pages,  the  reader  will  find  recorded 
the  trials  and  hardships,  together  with  the  pleasures 
und  duties  of  every  regiment  which  bore  a>  gallant 
part  in  the  great  struggle  for  nationality.  It  is  our 
design  in  giving  a  history  of  the  Seventh  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry  to  give  a  complete  and  accurate 
history  of  every  man  who  had  the  honor  of  a  mem- 
bership in  it,  without  favor  or  partiality.  And  in  so 
doing,  we  have  called  to  our  assistance  the  different 
officers  who  commanded  the  regiment,  who  happened 
to  have  in  their  possession  material  points  of  history 
which  we  were  not  able  to  obtain.  If  anything  has 
been  omitted,  it  has  not  been  intentional ;  yet,  with 
all  the  various  shiftings  of  the  scene,  it  would  be  re- 
markable if  nothing  were  omitted. 

The  narrative  commences  with  the  formation  of 
the  first  company,  and  runs  through  the  three 
months,  three  years,  and  veteran  service,  and  ends 
with  the  final  muster-out  of  the  survivors  at  Louis- 
ville, Kentucky,  July  9th,  1865. 

In  the  list  of  casualties  some  names  that  will  be 
looked  for  will  not  be  seen.  We  very  much  regret 
this,  but  owing  to  the  incompleteness  of  the  Adjutant 


INTRODUCTION.  VII 

General's  report,  we  are  unable  to  furnish  them : 
scarcely  any  note  is  made  there  of  our  noble 
wounded.  Where  the  blame  lies  we  do  not  pretend 
to  say. 

To  the  officers  of  the  regiment,  for  encouragement 
and  aid  ;  to  Lieut.  S.  F.  FLINT,  for  valuable  poems , 
written  expressly  for  these  pages ;  and  to  Rev.  W.  R. 
GOODWIN,  Pastor  M.  E.  Church,  Lincoln,  Illinois,  for 
services  rendered  in  reviewing  the  manuscript,  we 
make  our  sincere  and  grateful  acknowledgments. 

We  now  throw  ourself  upon  the  generosity  of  the 
public,  disclaiming  any  pretensions  to  literary  merit, 
hoping  that  we  will  be  dealt  with  gently. 

.Respectfully, 

I).  L.  A. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I.  1-10 

The  Storm  that  for  years  had  been  brewing;  Lincoln's  Election;  The  Inaugura- 
tion ;  The  wild  frenzy  of  the  South  ;  The  Fall  of  Fort  Sumpter  ;  The  Corame  nee  - 
ment  of  the  War :  First  call  for  troops ;  First  muster-in  of  the  Seventh  ;  Three 
Month's  service ;  Re-enlistment. 

CHAPTER  II.  11-24 

The  commencement  of  the  three  years',  service ;  Roster  of  Officers ;  Camp  at 
Mound  City,  Illinois  ;  Camp  at  Cairo,  Illinois  ;  Leaving  Cairo  ;  Ascending  the 
Mississippi ;  Landing  at  Sulphur  Springs  ;  Camp  at  Ironton  ;  Pilot  Knob ;  Expe- 
dition through  Missouri ;  Camp  at  Cape  Girardeau  ;  Descending  the  Mississippi  ; 
Landing  at  Fort  Holt ;  March  to  Elliott's  Mills  ;  Battle  of  Belmont ;  Return  to 
Fort  Holt ;  Expedition  to  Blandville  and  Elliott's  Mills  ;  Preparation  to  leave 
Fort  Holt. 

CHAPTER  III.  25-29 

Leaving  Fort  Holt ;  Ascending  the  Ohio  and  the  Tennessee  ;  Landing  before  Fort 
Henry ;  Match  to  the  rear ;  The  mud  ;  Fall  of  Fort  Henry  ;  Accident  met  with 
by  Company  I ;  Camp  at  Fort  Henry. 

CHAPTER  IV.  30-48 

March  to  Fort  Donelson;  Battle  of  Fort  Donclson  ;  Surrender;  Losses;  Camp 
at  Clarksville  ;  Trip  up  the  Cumberland  to  Nashville  ;  Return  to  Clarksville  ; 
Descending  the  Cumberland  ;  Ascending  the  Tennessee;  The  Fleet;  Landing  at 
Pittsbnrg  Landing  ;  Our  Camp  there  ;  Rumors  of  the  Enemy's  Advance. 

CHAPTER  Y.  .49-65 

Battle  of  Shiloh ;  First  day ;  The  attack  ;  First  position  of  the  Seventh  ;  Advanced 
position  of  tbe  Seventh ;  Their  danger  ;  Their  retreat ;  Their  new  line  ;  Fearful 
tempest ;  The  lull ;  Grant's  last  line  Sunday  evening  ;  Victors  of  that  last  great 
line ;  Arrival  of  Buell ;  The  night ;  The  rain  ;  Silent  sleepers  ;  The  second  day  ; 
Two  armies  fighting  hand  to  hand :  Enemy's  retreat  ;  Falling  of  the  curtain  ; 
Seventh's  camp  upon  the  field  ;  The  fallen  ;  List  of  casualties ;  The  record ; 
Seventh's  wounded  ;  The  living  ;  Burying  the  dead  ;  Camp  at  Shiloh  after  the 
battle  ;  Marching  orders. 


CONTENTS.  IX 

CHAPTER  VI.  66-90 

Leaving  Shiloli ;  The  roads  ;  Joining  Sherman  at  Monterey  ;  Siege  of  Corinth 
Evacuation ;  Joining  Pope  ;  March  into  Mississippi ;  Warm  weather  ;  Scarcity 
of  water  ;  Return  to  Corinth ;  Camp  near  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad  ;  Sixt  h 
Division  Camp  ;  Camp  on  Purdy  road ;  Camp  in  Jack-oak  Thicket ;  Battle  of 
luka  ;  Iowa  boys  our  brothers  ;  Ordered  to  our  old  camp  near  Mobile  and  Ohio 
Railroad ;  Second  Division  concentrating  ;  Rumors  of  Price's  advance  upon 
Corinth. 

CHAPTER  VII.  91-121 

Battle  of  Corinth,  first  day ;  Orders  to  move ;  Rumor  of  Price  and  Van  Dorn 
advancing  ;  Marched  to  the  outer  works  ;  Seventh's  position  in  the  works  ;  Con- 
test on  the  hill ;  Flanking  of  the  Seventh ;  Its  safe  retreat ;  Charge  of  the 
Second  Division  ;  Second  Division  fighting  the  whole  rebel  army  ;  Ordered  into 
camp  for  the  night  near  the  college ;  Movements  during  the  night  ;  Second  day  . 
Position  in  the  morning  ;  Early  filing  from  a  rebel  battery  ;  Regiment's  position 
behind  the  temporary  works  ;  The  attack  ;  The  Fierceness  of  the  battle  ;  Fall- 
ing back  of  the  troops  ;  The  re-action  ;  The  victory  ;  The  casualties  ;  Ca,mp  on 
the  field  ;  The  pursuit ;  Camp  at  Rookerville,  Mississippi ;  March  back  to  Cor"- 
inth";  Camp  at  Corinth ;  Second  Division  ,  Cinncinnati  Commercial's  Corres- 
pondent ,  Captain  Holden's  resignation 

CHAPTER  VIII.  122-145 

March  into  West  Tennessee ;  Arrival  at  Purdy  ;  Arrival  at  Lexington  ;  Arrival  at 
Pinch  :  Rebels  withdraw  from  Jackson ;  March  to  Henderson  ;  Take  the  cars 
for  Corinth  ;  Our  line  of  communications  cut ;  Foraging  ;  Close  of  1862  ;  New 
Year ;  Lincoln's  proclamation  :  Railroad  still  cut :  AiTival  of  the  mail  by  Pony 
express  ;  Rations  running  short ;  Troops  compelled  to  subsist  on  corn  ;  Com- 
munication open  ;  Full  rations  ;  Conversation  of  two  sentries  ;  Non-arrival  of 
mails  :  Cold  weather  ;  Comments  of  the  soldiers  on  modern  democracy  ;  Arri- 
val of  the  mails  ;  Soldier's  letters  ;  Their  welcome ;  Game  Cocks  ;  Trip  to  Ham- 
burg landing  ;  Heavy  duty  of  the  regiment ;  Corinth  a  Gibralter  ;  Meeting  of 
Illinois  onlcers  in  Music  Hall,  Corinth  ;  Passing  of  resolutions  relative  to  the 
vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war  ;  Office  of  Chaplain  ;  Trip  to  Davenport  Mills  ; 
Resignation  of  Colonel  Babcock ;  Celebration  of  the  first  anniversary  of  the 
battle  of  Shiloh. 

CHAPTER  IX.  146-168 

Marching  orders  :  Leaving  Corinth  :  Column  headed  towards  the  Tuscumbia  Val- 
ley :  Camp  at  Burnsville :  luka,  Mississippi  :  Camp  near  Bear  River :  Our 
advance  disputed  :  Crossing  Bear  river  ;  Skirmish  with  the  enemy  :  Regiment 
faHing  back  :  Camp  near  Bear  River  :  Colonel  Rowett  after  the  sheep :  Plans  for 
ambushing  the  rebels  :  The  Failure  :  Arrival  of  re-inforcements  :  Foraging  : 
Arrival  of  Colonel  Straight :  Some  bold  movement  contemplated :  Alabama 
cavalry  and  the  Kansas  Jayhawkers  on  the  war-path  ;  Arrival  at  TuScumbia, 
Alabama  :  The  Springs ;  Seventh  ordered  to  South  Florence,  Tennessee  river  : 
Soldier's  way-side  dream:  Flags  of  truce:  Battle  of  Town  Creek :  Crossing 
Town  Creek  :  Following  the  enemy:  March  back  to  Corinth  :  Destruction  of 
property  :  Swimming  Bear  River  :  Arrival  at  luka  :  Arrival  at  Corinth  :  Receiv- 
ing news  concerning  the  fall  of  Richmond  :  The  excitement . 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  X.  169-199 

Move  from  Corinth  .  Camp  at  Bethel,  Tennessee  :  Visit  of  Adjutant  General 
Thomas :  Evacuation  of  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad^:  Return  to  Corinth  : 
Cornyn's  raid ;  His  laconic  letter  to  Colonel  Biffle,  C.  8.  A. :  His  conversation 
with  the  Alabama  D.  D, ;  Seventh  mounted  :  The  mules  ;  Rowett's  first  raid  : 
Camp  on  Horton's  plantation  :  Camp  at  Cotton  Ridge  :  Camp  at  Henderson  : 
The  charge  into  Montezuma  :  Camp  at  *F«rt  Hooker  :  Return  to  Corinth :  News 
from  Vicksburg  :  Raid  of  the  rebels  on  the  Government  corral :  The  pursuit  : 
Return  to  Corinth :  Another  raid  into  West  Tennessee  ;  Camp  at  Hamburg  : 
Passing  the  old  battle  field  of  Shiloh:  Camp  on  Gravel  Hill:  Return  to  Corinth  : 
Execution  of  a  deserter ;  Prepararions  for  another  expedition :  Leaving  Corinth, 
Camp  at  Lexington  :  Arrival  of  Hatch  and  Phillips,  Rowett  and  Hatch  sweeping 
ihe  country :  Camp  near  Hunting  ton :  Little  Girls  at  Huntington  :  Camp  near 
Louisville  and  Memphis  Railroad ;  Arrival  at  Trenton  ;  Camp  at  Gibson :  Camp 
at  the  Town  mills :  Grinding  corn :  Return  to  Corinth :  Boldness  of  the  guerrillas. 
Major  Estabrook's  raid :  Passing  through  Adamsville  :  Jack  Creek :  Johnson's 
Mills :  Guerrillas  :  Camp  at  Henderson :  Attack  of  the  guerrillas  ;  Return  to 
Corinth  ;  Rowett's  raid  with  the  Seventh  Illinois  and  Kansns  Jayhawkers  :  Camp 
at  Fort  Hooker :  Pass  through  Henderson :  Camp  at  Mifflin  :  Killing  of  Sergeant 
Picket :  At  Jack  Creek  :  Pursuing  Colanel  Newsom :  Fight  at  Swallow's  Blufl  ; 
Returning  to  Corinth :  Captain  Clark  attacked  at  Purdy :  Return  to  Corinth  . 
Leaving  for  Chewalla,  Tennessee  :  Camp  at  Chewalla :  Returning  again  to  Cor- 
inth and  going  into  our  old  quarters:  Arrival  and  movement  of  troops;  Indica" 
tions  of  an  aggressive  movement. 

CHAPTER  XI.  200-218 

General  Sherman's  command  :  Marching  orders  :  Camp  at  Jacinto  :  Camp  at  luka  ; 
Payment  of  the  regiment :  On  picket :  Foraging :  Troops  leaving  luka  :  Standing 
in  the  rain:  March  to  Eastport :  Crossing  the  Tennessee  ;  Camp  on  the  hill  side: 
The  regiment  divided  into  detatchments :  Baily  Springs  :  Sergeant  Hackney 
whipped  by  a  woman :  Seventh  on  the  left  flank:  Wild  rocky  country  ;  Arrival 
at  Pulaski,  Tennessee  :  Trip  to  Columbia,  Tenn. :  Return  to  Pulaski :  Trip  to 
Corinth  after  the  division,  camp  and  garrison  equippapre :  Encountering  Roddy 
and  Johnson.  Camp  at  Waterloo.  Camp  at  Hamburg  Landing.  Companies  sent 
to  Corinth.  Returning  to  Pulaski,  Tenn.  Fray  at  Waynesboro  with  the  Fifth 
Tennessee  Union  Cavalry.  Arrival  at  Pulaski.  Lieutenant  Robert's  trip  to  East- 
port.  Tennessee  river.  His  narrow  escape,  and  safe  return  to  P  ulaski.  Expedi- 
tion to  La  wrenceburg,  Loyal  ladles  of  the  south .  Veteran  propositions.  Pulse 
of  the  Seventh.  Re-enlistment.  Cry  for  the  mustering  officer.  His  arrival. 
The  Regiment  mustered  as  Veterans. 

CHAPTER  XII.  221-224 

Leaving  Pulaski  on  Veteran  furlough.  Arrival  at  Springfield.  The  reception.  The 
regiment  in  the  Representatives  Chamber.  Welcome  speech  of  Governor  Yates . 
General  Cook  and  the  Seventh's  old  flag.  General  Cook's  speech.  Hospitality 
of  the  people.  Seventh  at  home. 

CHAPTER   XIII.  225-243 

Rendezvous  at  Camp  Butler.  Southward  bound,  Arrival  at  Louisville.  Arrival 
at  Nashville.  Zollicoffer  House.  Arrival  at  Pulaski,  Tennessee.  Marching 


CONTENTS.          u  XI 

orders.  March  to  Florence,  Alabama.  Return  to  Pulaski,  Tennessee.  Marching 
orders.  March  to  Waynesboro.  March  to  Raw  Hide.  March  to  Florence. 
March  to  Baily  Springs.  March  to  Blue  Water.  Companies  H  and  K  at  Raw 
Hide.  Company  F  at  Cheatam's  Landing,  Headquarters  at  Baily  Springs. 
Companies  H  and  K  at  Jackson's  plantation.  Arrival  of  Company  F  at  Jackson's 
plantation.  Colonel  Rowett's  return  to  the  regiment.  Captain  Ring's  detach- 
ment ordered  to  Center  Star.  Camp  at  Douglass.  .Camp  at  Taylors.  Camp  at 
Williams.  Arrival  of  the  supply  train.  Attack  at  Shoal  creek,  Crossing  of 
Roddy.  Fight  at  Florence.  Rowett  driven.  Captain  Ring  falling  back  across 
Elk  River.  Forming  Junction  at  Florence.  Tennessee.  Return  to  Florence. 
March  to  Athens.  Lieutenants  Sullivan  and  Rowett  sent  to  Florence  under  flag 
of  truce  to  negotiate  an  exchange,  Bad  Faith  of  the  rebel  Colonel  Johnson. 
Regiment  dismounted. 

CHAPTER  XtV.  24±-250 

Leave  Athens  for  Chattanooga.  Arrival  at  Chattanooga.  Lookout  Mountain. 
Seventh  boys  on  its  summit.  Leaving  Chattanooga.  Camp  on  Chicamauga. 
Moving  down  the  Railroad.  Camp  at  Tunnel  Hill.  Camp  at  Tilton,  Leaving 
Tilton  for  Rome.  Camp  on  he  Elwood  river.  Building  barracks.  Attack  by 
the  guerrillas  on  foragers.  Scout  of  the  Seventh  and  Fiftieth  Illinois  in  the 
direction  of  Kingston, 

CHAPTER  XY.  251-272 

The  situation.  Hood's  retrograde  movement.  Gen.  Corse  ordered  from  Rome  to 
the  Allatoona  Pass.  Arrival  in  the  evening.  Finding  the  garrison  surrounded . 
Preparations  for  battle.  Battle  of  the  Allatoona  Pass.  Companies  E  and  H 
deployed  os  skirmish  line.  Demand  for  surrender.  Skirmish  line  ordered  back. 
Rowett's  command  in  the  outer  works.  Captain  Smith  holding  at  bay  one  rebel 
regiment.  Desperation  of  the  rebels.  Retreat  to  the  fort.  Fearful  sacrifice. 
First  charge.  Genera  Corse  wounded.  Colonel  Rowett  assumes  command. 
First  rebel  charge  repulsed.  Rowett's  first  order.  Attempt  by  the  rebels  to 
burn  the  two  million  rations.  Second  charge.  Second  repulse.  Third  charge. 
Sherman  on  Kenesaw  Mountain.  Sherman's  dispatch  to  General  Corse.  Third 
repulse.  Fourth  charge.  Colonel  Rowett's  fort  at  Slaughter-pen.  Rebe'ls  com- 
pelled to  give  way  in  despair.  Colonel  Rowett  wounded;  Captain  Rattrey 
assumes  command.  Sevemth  with  their  sixteen-shooters.  Close  of  the  battle. 
Dead  and  wounded  in  Rowett's  fort.  Companies  E,  H  and  K  on  picket.  The 
rain.  List  of  casualties.  Honorable  mention.  Burying  the  dead.  Caring  for 
the  wounded.  Return  to  Rome.  Death  of  the  Seventh's  drummer  boy,  Hood 
contriving  to  move  northward.  General  Sherman.  Indications  of  some  gigan- 
tic movement . 

CHAPTER  XVI.  273-287 

General  Sherman.  Army  in  the  vicinity  of  Rome  and  Kingston.  Hood  moving 
northward.  Leaving  Rome.  Camp  on  the  Allatoona  battle  field.  Camp  at  the 
base  of  Kenesaw.  Passing  through  Marietta.  At  Atlanta.  Arrival  of  the  last 
mail.  New  commissions.  Army  launched  forth  upon  the  perilous  march.  Camp 
three  miles  from  Atlanta.  Burning  of  Atlanta.  Army  moving  on  four  different 


Xll  .  CONTENTS. 

roads.  Camp  near  Cotton  river.  Crossing  the  Ocmulgce  River.  Orders  to 
mount  the  Seventh.  Passing  through  Clinton.  Gordon.  Irylngton.  Army 
subsisting  on  the  country.  Third  brigade  on  the  Savannah  and  Macon  Railroad. 
Their  work.  General  Corse  lost  in  the  pineries.  Troops  on  half  rations.  The 
devastation.  Obstructions.  Seventh  on  the  Ogeeche.  Standing  picket.  Skir- 
mishing. Running  on  to  a  rebel  fort.  Before  Savannah.  Quarter  rations.  Fall 
of  Fort  McAllister.  Captain  E.  R.  Roberts  escapes  and  returns  to  the  regi- 
ment. His  sufferings  and  trials.  Troops  subsisting  upon  corn  and  rice.  Savan- 
nah evacuated.  Entering  the  fallen  city. 

CHAPTER  XVII.  288-302 

Major  Johnson  on  the  flanks  of  the  army,  Stopping  all  night  with  an  old  planter. 
Lieutenant  Flint's  poem.  Camp  at  Savannah.  Fort  Brown.  Bonniventure. 
Wounded  men  ordered  to  PocotaUgo.  Leaving  Savannah.  Crossing  the  Savan- 
nah River.  Entering  South  Carolina.  Crossing  the  swamps.  Joining  t  he  Fif- 
teenth Corps  at  Midway,  Crossing  the  Edisto,  Crossing  the  Congaree.  In  front 
of  Columbia.  Crossing  the  Soluda  River.  Surrender  of  Columbia.  Burning  of 
the  city,  March  to  Cheraw.  Crossing  the  Pedee  River.  At  Fayetteville,  North 
Carolina.  Crossing  the  Cape  Fear  River.  March  to  Bentonville.  Battle  of  Ben- 
tonville.  March  to  Goldsboro.  Camp  at  Goldsboro,  Arrival  of  new  co  mpanles . 
Consolidation. 

CHAPTER  XVIII.  '  303-315 

Leaving  Goldsboro,  News  of  Lee's  surrender.  Arrival  at  Raleigh,  North  Carolina. 
March  to  Morris ville.  Entire  regiment  to  be  mounted.  Assassination  of  Abra- 
ham Lincoln,  Effect  of  the  news  upon  Sherman's  army.  March  .back  towards 
Raleigh.  Camp  on  Crab  Creek.  March  to  Petersburg.  March  to  Richmond, 
Arrival  at  Alexandria.  Grand  Review.  Camp  near  Washington.  Leaving 
"Washington.  Arrival  at  Louisville,  Kentucky.  Camp  near  Louisville,  Camp 
in  the  city .  Mustered  out.  Returning  to  peaceful  life. 

ROSTER  OF  THE  REGIMENT.  -  319-391 


HISTORY  OF  THE 
SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY 


CHAPTER  I. 

The  Storm  that  for  years  had  been  brewing — Lincoln's  Election 
— The  Inauguration — The  wild  frenzy  of  the  South — The  Fall 
of  Fort  Sumter — The  Commencement  of  the  War — The  first 
call  for  troops — The  first  muster  in  of  the  Seventh— The  Three 
Months  Service — Their  Re-enlistment. 

For  thirty  years  the  leading  spirits  of  the  South, 
with  slavery  in  full  feather,  wrote  every  day  of  the 
inviolateness  of  secession,  and  the  divinity  of  human 
bondage.  The  leading  spirits  of  the  North,  cham- 
pions of  universal  freedom,  advocates  of  a  broad  and 
comprehensive  democracy,  read  every  cruel,  vaunt- 
ing word  as  fast  as  it  emanated  from  the  oligarchy ; 
hence  sprung  the  agitation  of  the  slavery  question. 
Thus  the  great  conflict  between  liberty  and  its  oppos- 
ing element  began.  Looking  from  the  watch-tower, 
they  had  seen  the  South  for  years  rule  the  nation, 
and  by  this  rule,  which  was  a  rule  for  the  interest  of 
the  slave  power,  the  argus  eyes  of  liberty's  sentinels 
discovered  that  the  proud  edifice  of  liberty  was  threat- 
ened. They  beheld  not  afar  the  rock  that  was  threat- 
1 


2  HISTORY    OF   THE 

ening  to  split  it  in  twain,  and  thereby  whelm  a  strug 
gling  people  into  a  wild,  dark  night  of  war.  The 
fair  goddess  sat  weeping  as  she  beheld  the  danger. 
Tears  fell  like  dew  drops,  when  the  harsh  music 
from  the  lowly  bondman's  chains  was  wafted  to 
her  ears  from  Pennsylvania  Avenue.  It  was  in 
the  last  days  of  Buchanan's  administration  when 
the  promulgators  of  the  great  principles  of  uni- 
versal brotherhood  to  man,  saw  most  clearly  the 
yawning  gulf  over  which  the  great  Union  hung. 
The  people  paving  educated  themselves  out  of 
their  mutual  'indignation  to  a  grand  abhorrence, 
and  out  of  this  grand  abhorrence  to  a  grand  agency, 
with  a  voice  whose  echoes  rolled  around  the  world, 
proclaimed  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN  their  leader.  A  revo- 
lution that  had  been  brewing  ever  since  Calhoun's 
day,  was  now  threatening.  A  wild  frenzy  was  now 
holding  and  controlling  the  general  mind  of  the  slave 
power-  Declarations  to  the  effect  that  they  would 
not  submit  to  abolition  rule  were  boldly  made 
throughout  the  South.  LINCOLN  beholds  the  gather- 
ing storm.  He  imagines  he  hears  afar  the  thunders  of 
war  and  revolution.  He  starts  for  the  Capitol;  but 
ere  he  starts,  says:  "I  hope  there  will  be  no 
trouble;  but  I  will  make  the  South  a  grave-yard 
rather  than  see  a  slavery  gospel  triumph,  or  success- 
ful secession  lose  this  government  to  the  cause  of 
the  people  and  representative  institutions."  Thus 
spoke  the  great  apostle  of  freedom  before  leaving 
Springfield.  Inauguration  day  is  drawing  nigh. 
The  waves  of  revolution  seem  rolling.  The  fostered 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  3 

coals  in  the  hot-bed  of  treason  are  being  fanned  into 
flame.  At  last  the  fourth  of  March,  1861,  dawns. 
LINCOLN  is  inaugurated.  His  inaugural  address 
savors  of  conciliation.  He  seeks  to  stay  the  angry 
storm  that  is  brewing.  His  heart  goes  out  "with 
malice  towards  none — with  charity  for  all."  But  his 
words  of  Christian  beauty,  coming  from  a  heart 
whose  dimensions  would  embrace  the  whole  world 
and  have  room  for  more,  has  no  effect  upon  the 
Southern  heart.  They  say,  "  this  has  been  our  dar- 
ling scheme  for  thirty  years.  We  will  not  abandon 
it  now.  We  will  sever  this  Union.  We  will  crush 
her  laws.  We  will  trail  her  flag."  LINCOLN  enters 
upon  his  duties ;  curtains  of  gloom  are  flung  around 
him.  But  in  Him  who  bid  faith  lean  upon  His  arm 
and  hope  to  dip  her  pinions  in  His  blood  and  mount 
to  the  skies,  he  trusts. 

The  secession  movement  had  been  inaugurated. 
Five  months  had  intervened  since  the  ball  com- 
menced rolling.  Five  months  of  turmoil — five 
months  of  uncertainty  to  the  republic.  The  fearful 
clouds  grow  darker. 

On  the  night  of  the  thirteenth  of  April,  1861,  a 
glaring  light  might  have  been  seen  flashing  along 
the  horizon's  bar  down  by  the  Atlantic.  The  four- 
teenth dawns,  and  from  the  ramparts  oi  Fort  Sum- 
ter  war's  dread  tocsin  is  sounded.  "Fort  Sumter 
has  fallen !"  The  beautiful  banner  of  stars  has  been 
struck  by  a  traitorous  foe.  The  gauntlet  has  been 
flung.  The  ship  of  state  rocks  wildly.  Soon  it  is 
swept  from  the  ocean,  over  the  mountains  of  the 


4  HISTORY   OF   THE 

north,  telling  an  anxious  people  that "  the  flag  has  been 
struck  down  to-day."  The  North's  powerful  millions 
seem  to  surge  like  tall,  dark  pines  swayed  by  a  fierce 
wind,  and  we  imagine  we  see  the  march  and  tramp  of 
a  grand  army  that  will  make  pale  the  nations  of  the 
earth.  The  news  goes  home  to  Europe,  and  a  voice 
comes  rolling  back,  like  the  organic  swell  of  ocean's 
thunder,  "Save,  Oh !  save,  the  American  Union !"  It 
comes  not  from  kings,  queens,  and  popes,  but  from 
the  struggling  millions,  from  the  chained  slave,  from 
Russia's  serfs.  But  ere  this  news  went  across  the 
waters,  the  President  made  the  call  for  seventy-five 
thousand  troops,  and  ere  this  voice  rolls  back,  there 
are  citizen  soldiers  in  America  marshaled  for  the  fray, 
rushing  on  to  the  rescue.  Like  a  grand  legion  they 
move  to  save  the  flag — save  the  Republic  from  drift- 
ing back  apace  towards  anarchy  and  universal  night. 
In  every  city  and  hamlet  in  the  north,  drums  are 
beating  for  volunteers.  Their  notes  are  heard  among 
the  pineries  of  Maine — heard  among  the  Green 
Mountains — heard  where  the  Hudson  flows — heard 
where  Liberty's  great  cradle  first  rocked.  Simulta- 
neous with  the  east,  the  same  living  spirit  burns  in 
the  west.  The  prairies  of  Illinois  seem  blazing  with 
the  patriots'  fire.  Tramp!  tramp!  is  the  music  roll- 
ing from  the  great  west,  forbodmg  to  traitors  the 
doom  of  disaster. 

The  first  from  the  great  commonwealth  of  Illinois, 
who  harkened  to  the  call "  to  arms !"— who  harkened 
to  the  appeals  that  came  from  the  tombs  of  the 
silent,  sleeping  warriors  of  the  revolution,  were  the 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  5 

men  who  composed  the  Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry.  They  were  the  first  to  offer  their  services 
after  the  President's  proclamation ;  the  first  to  enter 
Camp  Yates. 

The  Springfield  Grays,  afterwards  company  I, 
commanded  by  Captain  John  Cook,  was  the  first 
company  in  the  regiment  to  tender  its  services  to 
the  country,  and  the  Lincoln  Guards,  afterwards 
company  E,  commanded  by  Captain  "Wilford  D. 
Wyatt,  was  the  first  company  in  the  regiment 
to  march  into  Camp  Yates,  escorted  by  one  platoon 
of  the  Grays,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  T.  G. 
Moffitt.  The  Springfield  Grays  tendered  their  ser- 
vices to  Governor  Yates,  April  15th,  1861.  The 
Lincoln  Guards  tendered  their  services  and  march- 
ing into  Camp  Yates  April  19th,  1861. 

April  24th. — Up  to  this  time,  companies  from  Elgin, 
Carlinville,  Aurora,  Mattoon,  Lincoln,  Litchfield,  Bun- 
ker Hill  and  Sangamon,  have  marched  into  Camp 
Yates. 

April  25th. — To-day  the  Seventh  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry  is  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service  by  Captain  John  Pope,  United  States  Army, 
with  the  following  officers : 

Colonel. — John  Cook,  of  the  Springfield  Grays. 

Lieutenant  Colonel. — Wilford  D.  Wyatt,  of  the  Lincoln  Guards. 

Majw, — Nicholas  Greusel,  of  the  Aurora  Company. 

Surgeon. — Richard  L.  Metcalf. 

Chaplain. — Jesse  P.  Davis. 

COMPANY  A. 

Captain. — Edward  S.  Joslyn. 

First  Lieutenant. — Reuben  H.  Adams. 

Second  Lieutenant. — James  Doudson. 


JJJJI     4 


HISTORY   OF   THE 

COMPANY  B. 

Captain. — James  Monroe. 
First  Lieutenant. — Edward  W.  True. 
Second  Lieutenant. — Robert  H.  McFadden. 

COMPANY  C. 

Captain — Samuel  E.  Lawyer. 
First  Lieutenant. — Silas  Miller. 
Second  Lieutenant. — Rufus  Pattison. 

COMPANY  D. 

Captain. — Benjamin  Munn. 
First  Lieutenant. — Elizur  Southworth. 
Second  Lieutenant. — Mark  Miller. 

COMPANY  E. 

Captain. — George  H.  Estabrook. 
First  Lieutenant. — Otto  Buzzard. 
Second  Lieutenant. — H.  C.  Worthington. 

COMPANY  F. 

Captain. — J.  F.  Cuinmings. 

First  Lieutenant — William  0.  Jenks. 

Second  Lieutenant. — C.  F.  Adams. 

COMPANY  G, 

Captain. — William  Sands. 

First  Lieutenant. — David  L.  Canfield. 

Second  Lieutenant. — W.  G.  Kercheval. 

COMPANY  H. 

Captain. — C.  W.  Holden. 

First  Lieutenant. — Chris.  C.  Mason. 

Second  Lieutenant — Leo  Wash.  Myers. 

COMPANY   I. 

Captain. — A.  J.  Babcock. 

First  Lieutenant. — Thos.  G.  Moffitt. 

Second  Lieutenant. — Noah  E.  Mendell. 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  7 

COMPANY  K. 

Captain. — Richard  Rowett. 
First  Lieutenant-—  Manning  May  field. 
Second  Lieutenant. — George  Hunter. 

At  this  time  the  firm  steps  of  Illinois'  patriot  men 
were  heard,  keeping  step  to  the  mnsic  of  the  Union. 
In  every  direction  her  stalwart  sons  were  seen 
marching  towards  the  Capital.  The  loyal  pulse 
never  beat  so  central  and  quickening  as  at  this  period. 
After  the  organization  of  the  regiment,  on  the  twen- 
ty-seventh, they  are  marched  from  Camp  Yates  to 
the  armory,  where  they  receive  their  arms — the 
Harper's  Ferry  altered  musket — after  which  the  regi- 
ment marches  to  the  depot  and  embarks  for  Alton, 
Illinois,  where  the  regiment  arrives  at  4  p.  M.,  and 
are  quartered  in  the  old  State  Penitentiary.  With 
men  who  were  eager  for  war — whose  hopes  of  *mar- 
tial  glory  ran  so  high — to  be  quartered  in  the  old 
criminal  home,  grated  harshly,  and  they  did  not 
enter  those  dark  recesses  with  much  gusto. 

During  our  stay  here,  the  regiment  was  every 
day  marched  out  on  the  city  commons  by  Colonel 
Cook,  and  there  exercised  in  the  manual  of  arms 
and  the  battallion  evolutions,  until  they  attained  a 
proficiency  surpassed  by  none  in  the  service. 

On  the  nineteenth  of  May,  private  Harvey,  of 
Company  A,  died — the  first  death  in  the  regiment. 
The  first  soldier  in  the  first  regiment  to  offer  his  life 
for  the  flag  and  freedom.  On  the  second  of  June, 
private  Dunsmore,  of  the  same  company,  falls  into  a 
soldier's  grave.  May  the  loyal  people  ever  remem- 


8  HISTOBY    OF   THE 

ber  these  first  sacrifices  so  willingly  offered  in  the 
morning  of  the  rebellion. 

On  the  third  of  July,  the  regiment  embarked  on 
board  the  steamer  City  of  Alton,  for  Cairo,  Illinois. 
Passing  down  the  river,  the  steamer  is  hailed  and 
brought  to  at  the  St.  Louis  Arsenal,  and  after  the 
necessary  inspection,  proceeds  on  her  way.  Pass 
the  steamer  Louisiana,  with  the  12th  Illinois,  Colonel 
McArthur,  on  board,  arriving  at  Cairo  on  the  fourth, 
and  go  into  camp  on  the  flat  ground  in  the  rear  of 
the  city  and  near  the  levee.  This  camp  is  very 
appropriately  named  Camp  Defiance.  From  Cairo, 
on  the  seventeenth  of  June,  the  regiment  is  marched 
up  the  Ohio  river  as  far  as  Mound  City,  where  it  is 
quartered  in  a  large  brick  building,  on  the  bank  of  the 
river,  which  the  Seventh  will  remember  as  Camp 
Joslyn,  named  in  honor  of  Captain  Joslyn  of  Com- 
pany A.  These  were  quiet  dayg  with  the  Seventh. 
In  their  ardor  they  felt  in  themselves  the  strength 
of  giants. 

June  25th. — Brig.  General  Prentiss,  and  Colonels 
Oglesby  and  Paine,  visit  the  camp  of  the  Seventh, 
addressing  the  men  upon  the  subject  of  re-enlisting. 

June  26th. — A  general  alarm  seemed  to  prevail  to- 
day, concerning  hostile  appearances  on  the  Kentucky 
shore,  and  in  consequence,  Colonel  Cook  sends  Cap- 
tains Monroe  and  Babcock,  with  a  squad  of  men, 
across  the  river  to  reconnoiter.  They  soon  return  and 
report  all  quiet;  nothing  but  the  movement  of  farm- 
ers with  their  stock. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   ESTFANTRY.  9 

June  29th. — To-day  a  member  of  Company  F  is 
"drummed  out  of  the  regiment"  per  verdict  of 
Court  Martial.  Two  single  lines  were  formed  facing 
inward,  with  a  space  between  of  about  thirty  feet. 
The  disgraced  soldier  was  marched  along  between 
the  two  lines,  accompanied  by  two  drummers,  who 
kept  up  a  terribly  discordant  drumming,  while  the 
men  kept  up^a  hooting  and  hissing. 

Sunday,  June  30th. — Divine  service  at  the  grove 
to-day  by  Chaplain  Davis ;  largely  attended  by  the 
regiment. 

July  3d. — An  alarm  to-night ;  "  long  roll"  beaten; 
the  men  formed  in  line ;  no  ammunition ;  consider- 
able confusion;  three  rounds  issued  to  the  men 
while  in  line ;  false  alarm,  caused  by  the  firing  of 
the  pickets. 

July  4th — Dawns  gloriously.  The  national  salutes 
roll  from  the  Illinois  shore,  sending  their  joyous 
music  southward,  telling  a  story  that  runs  back  to 
the  morning  of  the  Republic.  At  10  o'clock  the 
regiment  is  formed  and  marched  to  the  grove,  where 
they  listen  to  the  reading  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence by  Colonel  Cook.  Oration  by  Chaplain 
Davis.  Valedictory  by  Captain  Joslyn. 

July  7th. — The  regiment's  period  of  enlistment  is 
now  drawing  to  a  close,  and  it  has  not  been  out  of 
its  native  State.  The  drums  are  now  beating  for 
volunteers  to  fill  up  the  call  made  on  the  fourth  of 
May  for  three  years'  troops.  The  Seventh  stood  on 
the  banks  of  the  Ohio.  They  looked  southward  and 
they  knew  that  they  had  not  been  down  there  where 

1* 


10  HISTORY   OF   THE 

the  wicked  enemies  of  freedom  trailed  the  old  flag. 
They  had  performed  the  engagements  the  govern- 
ment had  required  of  them ;  but  sanguine  hearts 
had  been  disappointed,  and  the  country  was  calling 
again  for  defenders.  The  majority  of  the  Seventh 
say  they  will  stay  ;  that  they  will  re-enlist ;  that  they 
will  harken  to  every  demand  the  country  makes  for 
the  defense  of  her  honor  and  glory.  Those  re-en- 
listing are  given  a  short  furlough  to  their  homes,  and 
after  returning  to  Mound  City,  the  regiment  is  mus- 
tered out  of  the  three  months'  service  the  twenty- 
fifth  of  July,  and  on  the  same  day  is  mustered  into 
the  three  years'  service  by  Captain  Pitcher,  U.  S.  A. 
The  story  of  Bull  Run's  battle  field  is  now  borne 
to  our  ears.  Its  wail  has  gone  to  the  hearts  of  a 
throbbing  people.  The  hearts  of  the  men  beat 
high  to  carry  the  flag  into  the  Southland.  This  part 
of  the  Seventh's  history  I  have  seen  fit  to  .make 
brief;  being  anxious  to  lead  the  reader  on  as  fast  as 
possible  to  the  days  when  the  deep  intonations  of 
battle  were  heard.  Days  when  the  dogs  of  war 
barked  loudly  in  tones  of  thunder  around  where  the 
old  Seventh's  flag  ofttimes  stood  encircled  by  a  barri- 
cade of  steel. 


CHAPTEK  II. 

The  commencement  of  the  three  years'  service.— The  Roster  of 
Officers. — Camp  at  Mound  City,  Ills. — Camp  at  Cairo,  Ills. — 
Leaving  Cairo. — Ascending  the  Mississippi. — Landing  at  Sul- 
phur Springs. — Camp  at  Ironton. — Pilot  Knob. — Expedition 
through  Missouri. — Camp  at  Cape  Girardeau. — Descending  the 
Mississippi. — Landing  at  Fort  Holt. — March  to  Elliott's  Mills — 
Battle  of  Belmont. — Return  to  Fort  Halt. — Expedition  to  Bland- 
ville  and  Elliott's  Mills. — Preparation  to  leave  Fort  Holt. 

The  Seventh  Eegiment  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry 
now  commences  its  three  years'  service  with  the  fol- 
lowing roster  of  officers  : 

Colonel. — John  Cook. 

Lieutenant  Colonel. — A.  J.  Babcock,  late  Capt.  Co.  "I." 

Major. — Richard  Rowett,  late  (Sapt.  Co.  "K." 

Adjutant.—  Leroy  R.  Waller. 

Quartermaster. — William  Brown.   , 

Surgeon. — Richard  L.  Metcalf. 

First  Assistant  Surgeon. — James  Hamilton. 

Chaplain. — Jesse  P.  Davis. 

COMPANY  A. 

Captain. — Samuel  G.  Ward. 

First  Liuetenant. — Jonathan  Kimbal. 

Second  Lieutenant. — William  Renwick. 

COMPANY  B. 

Captain. — James  Monroe. 
First  Lieutenant. — Hector  Perrin. 
Second  Lieutenant. — 0.  D.  Ells. 

COMPANY  C. 

Captain. — Samuel  E.  Lawyer. 
First  Lieutenant. — Leroy  R.  Waller. 
Second  Lieutenant. — Edward  R.  Roberts. 


12  HISTORY   OF   THE 

COMPANY  D. 

Captain. — Benj.  M.  Munn. 
First  Lieutenant. — Ira  A.  Church. 
Second  Lieutenant. — James  M.  Munn. 

COMPANY  E. 

Captain. — Geo.  H.  Estabrook. 
First  Lieutenant. — John  A.  Smith. 
Second  Lieutenant. — H.  N.  Estabrook. 

COMPANY  F. 

Captain. — Jas.  T.  Cummings. 
First  Lieutenant. — Win.  Mathie. 
Second  Lieutenant. — A.  D.  Knowlton. 

COMPANY  G. 

Captain,—  Henry  W.  Allen. 
First  Lieutenant. — Geo.  W.  Tipton. 
Second  Lieutenant. — Adam  E.  Vrooman. 

COMPANY  H. 

Captain. — Clifford  Ward  Holden. 
First  Lieutenant. — Leo  W.  Myers. 
Second  Lieutenant. — Jacob  L.  Ring. 

COMPANY  I. 

Captain. — Noah  E.  Mendell. 
First  Lieutenant. — E.  S.  Johnson. 
Second  Lieutenant. — Thomas  N.  Francis. 

COMPANY  K. 

Captain. — George  Hunter. 
First  Lieutenant. — Joseph  Rowett. 
Second  Lieutenant. — Thomas  B.  Rood. 

After  remaining  in  Camp  at  Mound  City,  Illinois, 
a  few  days,  we  proceeded  down  the  Ohio  as  far  as 
Cairo,  where  again  the  regiment  goes  into  Camp 
Defiance.  And  whilst  here,  from  morning  until 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  13 

night,  the  officers'  voices  are  heard  in  command  on  the 
drill  ground,  bringing  the  regiment  up  to  a  high 
standard,  preparing  them  that  they  may  play  well 
their  part  in  the  coming  drama. 

Eemaining  in  Camp  Defiance  two  weeks,  we  take 
passage  on  board  the  steamer  "New  Uncle  Sam,"  and 
are  soon  passing  up  the  Mississippi  river,  accompanied 
by  other  steamers,  loaded  with  troops  from  Bird's  Point 
and  Cairo.  It  is  rumored  that  we  will  land  at  some 
point  and  enter  Missouri.  The  Seventh  are  now 
standing  on  the  deck  of  the  steamer  as  she  moves 
proudly  up  the  river,  and  as  we  look  over  into 
Missouri,  where  wicked  men  have  assailed  the  flag 
and  freedom,  our  hearts  beat  high,  and  we  long  to 
be  there,  that  we  may  unfurl  our  flag  and  give  it 
freedom  to  wave  on  that  side  the  river  as  well  as  on 
this. 

After  a  pleasant  trip  the  regiment  lands  at  Sulphur 
Springs,  Missouri,  and  in  a  measure  the  wishes  of 
the  men  are  gratified,  for  they  are  now  on  rebel  soil. 
From  this  point  we  proceed  by  rail  to  Iroriton,  and 
upon  our  arrival  there,  we  are  met  by  General  Pren- 
tiss,  who  makes  the  regiment  a  speech,  telling  them 
that  they  have  been  ordered  there  to  help  him  drive 
Jeff*.  Thompson  from  Missouri.  We  go  into  camp  in 
the  vicinity  of  Ironton.  The  scenery  around  here  is 
grand.  Pilot  Knob  looms  up  peerlessly,  close  to 
where  we  are  camped.  The  Seventh  boys  are  often 
seen  on  its  summits  (standing  as  it  were  amid  the 
clouds)  looking  down  in  the  valley.  "While  here  the 
regiment  is  uniformed — and  the  Seventh's  boys  will 


14  HISTORY    OF    THE 

remember  those  striped  uniforms  which  made  them 
look  like  convicts  late  from  Jefferson  City. 

On  the  1st  of  September  we  received  marching 
orders.  All  is  commotion  to-night — many  an  inter- 
rogation is  made  relating  to  this  thing  and  that. 

On  the  morning  of  the  2nd,  with  every  man  a  knap- 
sack, haversack  and  canteen — and  these  filled  to  over- 
flowing, the  Seventh,  for  the  first  time  in  its  history, 
took  up  the  line  of  march,  under  command  of  Major 
Rowett,  Colonel  Cook  being  in  command  of  the 
brigade,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Babcock  absent  in 
Illinois.  The  spirits  of  the  men  run  high — they  ex- 
pected every  moment  to  be  rushed  into  battle ;  but 
how  sadly  were  they  disappointed.  For  days  and 
nights  we  followed  Prentiss  in  the  pursuit  of  Jeff. 
Thompson ;  marching  over  rocks  and  hills,  passing 
through  Booneville,  Fredrickton  and  Jackson,  to 
Cape  G-irardeau,  where  we  go  into  camp  in  the  field 
to  the  rear  of  the  town,  thus  ending  our  bloodless 
Missouri  expedition.  No  Jeff.  Thompson — no  rebels 
could  be  found,  all  having  made  their  exit  far  away  over 
the  mountains.  Though  it  was  a  hard  march,  caus- 
ing the  weary,  foot-sore  soldiers  to  fall  oft  times  by  the 
way,  the  Seventh  as  a  whole,  enjoyed  it  well,  and  they 
will  not  soon  forget  the  bountiful  barn-yards  they  so 
frequently  made  descents  upon,  leaving  nothing  be- 
hind but  geese-  and  chicken-heads  to  rehearse  the 
story.  I  was  much  amused  one  evening  by  hear- 
ing an  officer  tell  some  of  the  men  that  over  beyond 
that  hill,  about  one  mile,  was  a  barn  full  of  chickens, 
"and  the  first  soldier  who  molested  them  he  would 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  15 

buck  and  gag."  By  a  quick  wink  of  the  eye,  the 
boys  were  made  to  understand  him,  and  around  the 
camp-fires  these  men  sat  that  night  eating  their 
supper  and  laughing  most  heartily,  for  we  noticed 
that  they  were  masticating  some  old  fat  hens.  Of 
course  the  officer's  orders  were  against  all  depreda- 
tions, but  orders  were  sometimes  accompanied  with 
a  wink,  which  the  men  always  watched  for.  If 
none  accompanied  the  orders  they  always  under- 
stood what  was  meant. 

September  21st. — Lieutenant  Colonel  Babcock  ar- 
rives back  and  assumes  command  of  the  regiment. 
The  same  evening,  Major  Rowett  leaves  for  Illinois 
on  leave  of  absence. 

September  22d. — Articles  of  war  read  to-day ;  the 
law  laid  down,  &c. 

Battalion  and  company  drill  is  now  the  order  of 
the  day.  Colonel  Babcock  seems  ambitious  to  make 
the  Seventh  a  star  in  the  battalion  and  company 
evolutions. 

September  26th. — National  fast  by  proclamation  of 
the  President.  Church  service  3  P.  M.,  by  Chaplain 
Davis.  Delivers  a  fine  sermon,  which  is  attentively 
listened  to  by  the  members  of  the  Seventh.  This 
evening  at  9  o'clock  Lieutenant  Vrooman  died  of 
typhoid  fever;  another  victim  given  at  liberty's 
shrine. 

September  27th. — Lieutenant  Vrooman  is  buried 
to-day,  with  military  honors.  Colonel  Boyle,  with 
the  Eleventh  Missouri,  turned  out  and  joined  in  do- 


16  HISTORY    OF   THE 

ing  honor  to  the  fallen  soldier.  Thus  another  sol- 
dier's mound  has  been  reared — another  waymark  for 
the  pilgrims  of  freedom  has  been  built. 

September  30th. — Major  Rowett  returned  from 
Illinois  to-day.  Official  notice  informs  us  this  even- 
ing that  Captain  Plummer,  U.  S.  A.,  has  been  ap- 
pointed Colonel  of  the  Eleventh  Missouri,  and 
ordered  to  relieve  Colonel  Cook  and  assume  com- 
mand of  the  post. 

October  1st. — This  morning  Colonel  Cook  leaves 
for  Springfield  on  a  leave  of  absence. 

October  3d. — This  evening  at  10  o'clock  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel- Babcock  receives  orders  to  report  to  post 
headquarters.  Reporting,  he  receives  orders  to  pro- 
ceed the  following  day  to  Fort  Holt,  Kentucky,  with 
his  regiment,  and  relieve  the  Seventeenth  Illinois. 

October  4th. — At  10  A.  M.,  we  strike  our  tents ;  12 
M.,  we  march  in  a  thunder  storm  to  the  river,  and 
embark  on  the  steamer  Aleck  Scott.  Leave  the 
Cape  at  6  p.  M.,  run  down  the  river  fifteen  miles  and 
anchor  for  the  night. 

October  5th. — Weigh  anchor  at  daylight,  aad  soon 
after  proceeding  on  our  way,  we  run  on  to  a  sand- 
bar, where  we  remain  three  and  a-half  hours.  Extri- 
cating ourselves,  we  move  on  and  arrive  at  Fort 
Holt  at  3  P.  M. 

October  6th. — This  morning,  as  the  morning  gun 
was  fired  from  Fort  Prentiss,  at  Cairo,  through  some 
carelessness  of  the  gunner,  a  solid  shot  was  fired 
which  came  across  the  Ohio  river  and  over  the  Sev- 
enth's camp,  performing  general  havoc  among  the 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY. 

tree-tops.  No  damage  done,  save  what  was  done 
in  scaring  the  men  within  its  range.  The  ball  is  now 
on  exhibition  at  Colonel  Babcock's  tent  as  a  war 
trophy. 

October  15th. — To-day  the  line  officers  are  formed 
into  a  company  and  drilled  by  Colonel  Babcock  in  the 
company  movements.  They  make  a  fine  company, 
and  the  Colonel  seems  to  enjoy  the  drill. 

October  19th. — To-day  Colonel  Cook  arrives  on  the 
steamer  J.  H.  Dickey,  and  assumes  command  of  the 
post. 

October  23d. — To-day  the  regiment  receives  or- 
ders to  clear  off  a  new  camping  ground  and  build 
houses. 

October  24-th. — A  member  of  company  D,  private 
James  M.  Sparrow,  died  to-day.  Thus,  one  by  one 
the  Union's  defenders  are  passing  away.  Peace  to 
their  ashes. 

October  25th. — The  axes  are  now  being  swung  in 
the  Kentucky  woods.  The  work  on  the  houses  goes 
on  briskly.  We  remain  at  Fort  Holt,  working  at 
our  houses  and  performing  the  regular  routine  of 
camp  duties  until  the  evening  of  the  sixth  of  No- 
vember, when  we  receive  orders  to  hold  ourselves  in 
readiness  to  move  at  a  moment's  notice,  in  light 
marching  order.  On  the  morning  of  the  seventh  we 
move  from  the  Fort,  marching  down  the  river  to- 
wards Columbus,  Kentucky.  While  passing  down 
along  the  shore,  we  behold  transports  descending, 
loaded  down  with  troops,  and  we  come  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  there  is  something  in  the  wind.  Proceed- 


18  HISTORY   OF   THE 

ing  as  far  as  Elliott's  Mills,  we  receive  orders  to 
halt  and  remain  here  until  further  orders.  Colonel 
Babcock  having  been  absent  at  St.  Louis,  on 
business  for  the  regiment,  returns  this  afternoon. 
About  two  o'clock  we  hear  something  that  sounds 
very  much  like  thunder.  It  is  the  cannon's  deep, 
harsh  tones,  telling  us  that  a  battle  is  raging.  It 
is  the  first  time  such  sounds  have  ever  fallen  upon 
our  ears.  We  are  expecting  every  minute  to 
receive  orders  to  move  forward.  There  is  now 
a  death-like  silence  where  the  Seventh  stands. 
All  are  anticipating  that  ere  the  sun's  rays  fade  from 
the  Mississippi  they  will  see  blood  flow.  But  it 
seems  that  our  time  has  not  yet  come.  Remaining 
here  until  the  day  is  well  nigh  gone,  a  messenger  ar- 
rives telling  us  that  Grant  to-day  has  fought  the  great 
battle  of  Belmont ;  that  he  has  been  repulsed ;  that 
the  Seventh  is  in  danger  of  an  attack  from  an 
overwhelming  force  now  marching  towards  us  from 
Columbus.  We  immediately  re-cross  Mayfield  creek, 
and  take  the  backward  track  for  Fort  Holt,  where 
we  arrive  at  2  o'clock  the  next  morning. 

November  8th. — To-day  a  flag  of  truce,  accom- 
panied by  Colonel  Cook,  goes  down  the  river  to  the 
battle  field  of  Belmont  to  look  after  the  fallen  dead. 
Sixty-four  were  all  that  were  found. 

November  13. — This  morning  the  steamer  Aleck 
Scott  proceeds  down  the  river  loaded  with  the  Bel- 
mont prisoners,  accompanied  by  federal  officers  from 
Cairo,  Fort  Holt  and  Bird's  Point,  for  the  purpose  of 
consummating  an  exchange.  They  are  met  by  the 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  19 

rebel  steamer  Prince,  about  half  way  from  Cairo  to 
Columbus,  with  the  Union  prisoners,  accompanied  by 
a  party  of  Confederate  officers,  regalied  in  their  most 
dashing  colors.  Meeting  under  a  flag  of  truce,  the 
steamers  are  soon  lashed  together,  and  Generals 
Grant  and  Polk  commence  the  conference  relating 
to  an  exchange.  The  Union  officers  are  in  the 
meantime  invited  on  board  the  rebel  steamer,  and  are 
soon  mingling  promiscuously  among  the  "  Southern 
Empire  men."  Friendly,  social  exchanges  were 
made,  but  in  the  language  of  Tom.  Carlyle,  "  they  had 
their  share  of  wind."  With  their  gaudy  glitter  they 
paced  the  Prince's  deck  and  vauntingly  declared  the 
old  Union  should  die ;  that  they  would  never  sur- 
render to  the  United  States  government.  The  ex- 
change having  been  consummated,  the  Aleck  Scott 
and  Prince  commenced  moving  in  opposite  direc- 
tions, one  northward  and  the  other  southward. 
Cheer  after  cheer  rolled  from  each  steamer  as  they 
separated.  Ere  long  these  men  will  engage  in  the 
carnival  of  blood.  How  sad  to  know  that  these  fos- 
tered men,  beneath  the  shadow  of  the  flag,  should 
thus  assail  the  country  that  gave  them  birth.  The 
Seventh's  officers,  Colonel  Cook,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Babcock,  Major  Rowett,  Captains  Monroe,  Mendell, 
Holden,  Allen  and  Hunter,  Lieutenants  Johnson, 
Church,  Ring,  Smith,  Roberts,  and  others,  are  now 
landed  at  Fort  Holt  from  the  steamer  Aleck  Scott, 
much  elated  with  their  trip  to  Dixie.  From  what 
we  can  learn,  they  have  been  "  funny  fellows  "  to-day, 
but  this  is  neither  here  nor  there.  These  officers, 


20  HISTORY    OF   THE 

with  their  glittering  gold,  their  dangling  swords,  their 
feathery  plumes  and  manly  faces,  carryed  with 
them  an  impression  that  will  forsooth  be  the  cause 
of  forbodings  to  the  traitors.  We  imagine  that  they 
will  have  unpleasant  dreams  to-night. 

November  16th. — Paymaster  Major  Sherman  ar- 
rives to-day,  and  in  the  afternoon  commences  to  pay 
the  regiment;  pays  the  field  officers  and  staff,  and 
non-commissioned  staff,  and  companies  A,  D,  F  and 
H,  and  adjourns  for  the  night. 

November  18th. — To-day  the  Paymaster  finishes 
paying  the  regiment.  The  men  are  now  flush  with 
the  "  collaterals"  and  in  consequence  the  sutlers  and 
swindlers  are  trying  to  play  their  hands. 

November  19th. — This  morning  at  9  o'clock  a 
heavy  thunder  storm  blows  across  the  breast  of  the 
river,  during  which  an  alarm  of  a  rebel  attack  is 
given,  which  calls  the  Seventh  forth  in  line  of  battle. 
Also  an  alarm  at  Bird's  Point,  but  all  prove  to  be 
false  alarms. 

November  20th. — To-day  the  camp  is  alarmed  by 
the  firing  of  the  picket  guards.  Nothing  hostile, 
however,  is  discovered.  All  is  quiet  this  evening. 

November  25th. — Colonel  Cook  left  Fort  Holt  to- 
day for  Springfield,  and  in  his  absence  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Babcock  commands  the  post,  and  Major 
Eowett  the  regiment. 

November  29th. — Colonel  Cook  returned  and  re- 
sumed command  of  the  post.  The  work  on  the 
houses  still  progressing  finely.  The  sound  of  the 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  21 

axe  and  the  rattle  of  the  saw  are  heard  in  every 
direction. 

December  1st. — To-day  a  rebel  gunboat  steamed 
up  from  Columbus  and  fired  a  few  shots  into  Fort 
Holt.  Our  big  gun  below  the  camp  of  the  Twenty- 
eighth  Illinois  returned  the  fire  with  a  vim,  after 
which  the  rebel  machine  drifts  back  to  its  own  con- 
genial clime,  having  accomplished  nothing  save  a 
little  fright. 

December  llth. — To-day  the  companies  move 
i  nto  their  new  houses.  Evening. — We  are  now  nicely 
quartered  in  good  substantial  houses,  strong  enough 
to  turn  shot  and  shell.  We  remain  quietly  housed 
at  Fort  Holt  until  the  thirteenth  of  January,  1862, 
when  we  receive  marching  orders.  All  is  confusion 
now,  preparing  for  a  forward  movement. 

January  14th. — Early  this  morning  the  Seventh 
takes  up  the  line  of  march  for  Blandville,  Kentucky, 
to  join  McClernand's  Division,  already  marched  on 
before  us.  Upon  our  arrival  there,  we  find  that  he 
has  left  with  his  command,  moving  in  the  direction  of 
Columbus.  We  hasten  on,  and  join  him  in  the 
evening  after  he  has  gone  into  camp.  Everything 
seems  to  indicate  that  Grant  means  action.  The 
camp  fires  are  now  seen  burning  away  on  the  fields 
as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach. 

The  men  have  all  sunk  to  rest  upon  the  earth, 
save  the  weary  sentinel  who  is  pacing  quietly  over 
his  lonely  path. 

Though  the  heroes  seem  to  sleep  soundly,  they 
may  be  dreaming  of  the  clash  of  men,  and  the  clang 


22  HISTORY    OF    THE 

of  steel,  of  the  groans  of  the  dying  and  the  shouts 
of  the  victors.  The  Seventh  boys  are  now  all  still. 
How  nobly  they  all  look  as  their  eyes  are  closed, 
with  the  shadow  of  the  pale  moon  playing  upon 
their  faces.  We  are  wont  to  feel  sad  when  we 
look  around  here  and  know  that  in  this  war  for  the 
Union  some  of  those  who  lie  here  will  go  down  as 
victims  on  the  alter  of  human  freedom. 

January  15th. — This  morning  we  wait  for  the 
arrival  of  General  Smith's  command.  After  their 
arrival,  we  move  forward.  Soon  it  commences  to 
rain,  and  through  mud  and  rain  we  march  all  day. 
Taking  a  circuitous  route  through  woods  and  swamps, 
we  arrive  at  Elliott's  Mills  in  the  evening,  and  go 
into  camp  on  the  opposite  bank  of  Mayfield  Creek. 

January  16th. — This  morning  it  is  still  raining 
very  hard.  We  find  it  difficult  to  keep  the  camp 
fires  burning.  Our  camp  is  in  the  Mayfield  Creek 
bottom.  The  water  is  standing  all  around  us.  The 
creek  is  rising  very  high,  and  it  is  still  raining.  Our 
subsistence  is  now  running  short,  and  Mayfield  Creek 
between  us  and  Fort  Holt,  our  nearest  depot  of  sup- 
plies. Mud !  mud !  everywhere,  the  situation  looks 
critical. 

January  17th. — Affairs  look  billions  this  morning. 
Still  raining,  the  camp  fires  burning  dimly.  The 
soldiers  wet  and  chilled.  All  day  a  party  are  at 
work  moving  the  baggage  train  across  the  creek. 
Everything  looks  dreary ;  nothing  cheering,  nothing 
comfortable.  No  rest  for  the  soldier  to-night. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  23 

January  1.8th. — This  morning  all  looks  gloomy. 
The  hopes  of  attacking  Columbus  have  vanished. 
We  await  orders  to  return  to  Fort  Holt.  This  even- 
ing the  quartermaster  arrives  with  supplies,  which 
are  in  great  demand.  The  boys  are  more  cheerful 
to-night. 

January  19th. — This  morning  we  receive  orders  to 
pack  up  and  move  back  to  Fort  Holt.  We  cross  the 
creek  on  an  old  flat-boat  bridge.  The  roads  are  terri- 
ble. We  find  it  a  very  fatiguing  tramp.  We  ar- 
rive at  Fort  Holt  in  the  evening,  almost  exhausted 
by  the  hard  march.  All  seem  glad  to  again  be 
ushered  into  their  comfortable  quarters. 

For  some  days  fhe  effect  of  the  forced  march  in 
mud  and  rain,  through  the  swamps  of  Kentucky  are 
felt  by  the  Seventh.  The  remaining  part  of  the 
month  we  remain  quietly  at  Fort  Holt,  though  some- 
times it  seemed  that  the  rapid  rise  of  the  Ohio  would 
compel  us  to  evacuate,  but  the  waters  subsided  with- 
out submerging  us.  From  the  twenty-fifth  on  until 
the  first  of  February,  I  can  note  nothing  but  the 
regular  routine  of  camp  duties.  On  the  first  we 
receive  orders  to  hold  ourselves  in  readiness  to  move 
with  camp  and  garrison  equipage.  This  order 
means  that  we  will  move  in  a  day  or  two.  All  are 
in  confusion  and  many  are  the  conjectures  relative  to 
our  destination. 

February  2d. — Sunday  morning  we  are  busily  en- 
gaged packing  up  to  leave  the  fort.  Steamers  are 
numerous  in  this  vicinity  now.  Every  day  troops 
are  passing  up  the  Ohio  river,  and  it  is  rumored  that 


24  UI8TOBY  OF  THE 

they  head  for  the  Tennessee.  Some  grand  expedition 
on  foot,  as  everything  seems  to  indicate.  "We  may 
follow  soon.  Where  we  will  go,  we  cannot  tell;  only 
that  our  faces  are  being  turned  southward.  I  look 
around  the  camp  to-night ;  I  see  strong  men,  full  ot 
life  and  hope.  They  may  go  down  there  ne'er  to 
return  again.  Liberty  will  claim  them,  but  in  the 
years  to  come  there  will  be  a  disenthralled  race  who 
will  pass  their  graves  and  drop  tears  to  their  memory. 


CHAPTEK  III. 

Leaving  Fort  Holt — Ascending  the  Ohio  and  the  Tennessee — 
Landing  before  Fort  Henry—The  March  to  the  Rear— The 
Mud— The  Fall  of  Fort  Henry— The  accident  met  with  by 
Company  I — Our  camp  at  Fort  Henry. 

Monday  Morning,  February  3d,  1862. — The  regi- 
ment takes  passage  on  board  the  steamer  City  of 
Memphis,  for  parts  unknown.  Being  nearly  all  day 
loading  the  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  the  steamer 
does  not  move  until  5  o'clock,  p.  M. 

We  now  steer  up  the  Ohio  river ;  pass  Paducah  at 
midnight.  The  fourth  dawns  beautifully,  finding  us 
moving  up  the  Tennessee  river.  Rumor  has  sit  that 
Fort  Henry  is  our  destination.  The  drums  are  now 
beating,  colors  flying  and  hearts  beating  high,  for  the 
face  of  the  Seventh  is  Dixieward.  The  gun  boats 
are  leading  the  way,  and  five  steamers  follow  in  the 
wake  of  the  Memphis.  'Tis  evening  now.  We  see 
in  the  dim  distance  Fort  Henry's  walls  and  the  flaunt- 
ing stars  and  bars.  We  disembark  four  miles  from 
the  Fort  and  go  into  camp  on  the  bank  of  the  river. 
Some  one  remarks  that  there  is  mud  here,  and 
so  say  we,  and  the  most  terrible  mud.  As  the  sol- 
diers move  through  the  camp  this  evening,  their  cry 
is:  "No  bottom!'7 

Wednesday,  5th. — This  morning  a  fog  hangs  over 
the  surrounding  hills.     About  ten  thousand  troops 
are  concentrated  here.     The  gun-boats  are  anchored 
2 


26  HISTORY  OF  THE 

in  the  river,  waiting  for  the  land  forces.  A  large 
number  of  troops  are  landing  on  the  other  side  of 
the  river.  Everything  this  evening  looks  warlike. 
Thursday,  6th. — It  is  raining  this  morning;  has 
been  all  night.  There  may  be  poetry  in  war,  but 
there  is  no  poetry  in  Camp  Halleck  (the  name  given 
to  this  camp  by  general  orders).  Mud  predominates 
and  the  camp  fires  burn  dimly.  Soon  the  rain 
ceases  and  the  clouds  vanish ;  the  sky  becomes  clear, 
and  the  sun  sheds  forth  refreshing  light,  which  is 
very  welcome  to  the  wet  Seventh.  But  ere  it  is 
noon  we  have  marching  orders.  The  gun-boats, 
terrible  looking  monsters,  are  now  steaming  up 
towards  Fort  Henry.  The  army  is  put  in  motion. 
We  look  away;  and  around  the  hills  and  up  the 
ravines  we  see  the  beautiful  starry  banners  flying. 
It  is  our  fate  to  be  one  of  the  rear  regiments,  and 
while  waiting  for  the  assembly  to  beat,  the  regiment 
ascends  a  hill  close  by,  from  where  we  first  behold  a 
rebel  camp.  We  see  the  ensign  of  treason  floating 
defiantly  over  the  Fort.  Mad,  mad,  men  !  that  they 
would  thus  insult  the  mother  that  gave  them  birth. 
But  ah!  they  are  now  being  circumvented.  The 
gunboats  still  keep  steaming  up  towards  the  Fort. 
We  predict  that  ere  the  sun  sinks  to  rest,  that 
banner,  the  representative  of  a  wicked  people,  will 
be  struck  down,  and  that  upon  her  staff  the  old 
Union's  flag  will  flutter  in  the  wind,  and  cast  around 
Fort  Henry  her  flashing  light.  Up  a  winding 
ravine  we  pass,  over  the  hills  we  climb.  The  troops 
are  aiming  to  get  to  the  rear  of  the  Fort,  ere  the 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  27 

bombardment  commences.  The  roads  are  cut  up 
terribly.  The  artillery  mires  down  upon  the  hills ; 
the  Seventh  lifts  them  out.  "We  are  now  away  on 
the  Tennessee  bluffs.  Looking  up  the  river  we 
see  a  smoke ;  we  hear  a  sullen  roar.  What  means  it 
all  ?  It  is  a  smoke  and  a  roar  from  the  gun-boat 
Essex.  The  ball  is  now  open.  In  quick  succession 
the  mad  machines  of  war  give  vent  to  their  death- 
dealing  elements.  The  troops  seem  eager  for  the 
fray,  but  it  is  evident  the  way  the  artillery  is  miring 
down,  that  it  will  only  be  a  naval  battle.  Shot  and 
shell,  like  living  monsters,  are  now  flying  over  and 
into  Fort  Henry.  Moving  on,  the  imposing  scene  is 
lost  to  our  view ;  but  like  the  rumble  and  roar  of 
distant  thunder,  the  echoes  roll  over  the  bluffs  and 
cliffs  of  the  Tennessee.  All  day  we  keep  winding 
around  through  the  woods,  seeking  to  get  to  the  rear 
of  the  Fort.  Towards  evening  a  messenger  comes 
riding  back  and  his  voice  rings  out,  "Fort  Henry's  flag 
is  down  and  the  rebels  are  flying."  It  being  imposible 
for  the  advanced  troops  to  get  to  the  rear  in  ^time  to 
cut  off  the  retreat,  they  now  move  up  and  take  posses- 
sion of  the  works.  "We  go  into  camp  in  the  woods 
one  mile  from  the  rebel  works.  Having  been 
ordered  to  leave  our  knapsacks  with  the  wagons  this 
morning,  we  have  in  consequence  no  blankets  nor 
overcoats  to-night.  It  is  cold.  The  soldiers  are 
suffering;  a  bleak  winter  wind  is  blowing  around 
them,  but  a  rebel  flag  went  down  to-day,  and  the 
soldiers'  hearts  are  glad,  glad  because  in  its  stead 
floats  the  old  Union's  loved  banner. 


28  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Friday,  7th. — This  morning  the  soldiers  stand 
in  groups,  shivering  around  the  camp  fires.  A 
chilling  north  wind  whistles  fiercely  through  these 
forests  of  pine.  Last  night  an  accident  happened 
Company  I,  by  the  falling  of  part  of  a  tree,  wound- 
ing Captain  Mendell,  First  Sergeant  John  E.  Sulli- 
van, and  Sergeant  Luke  Norton.  The  latter's  arm 
was  broken ;  the  Captain  is  hurt  very  badly,  but  we 
hope  not  seriously,  for  we  will  need  the  Captain  in 
the  coming  battles.  We  move  camp  to-day  inside 
the  fortifications.  Loud  huzzas  rend  the  ah*  as  the 
soldiers  behold  the  old  flag  waving  over  the  Fort. 
Our  quarters  to-night  are  close  by  the  Fort  in  rebel 
barracks.  We  now  have  our  blankets  and  overcoats. 
The  cold  winds  do  not  reach  us;  we  are  comfort- 
able and  happy. 

Saturday,  8th. — This  morning  we  are  still  at 
the  Fort.  This  place  looks  as  though  it  had  passed 
through  a  terrible  storm.  We  will  now  take  a 
stroll  over  the  works.  They  have  been  furrowed  by 
sweeping  shell.  Dark  and  wild  must  have  been  the 
storm  around  here,  ere  the  flag  was  lowered.  It 
seems  as  though  nothing  of  human  construction 
could  have  survived  it.  Thirty  remained  at  the  guns. 
We  walk  a  little  farther,  and  oh!  what  a  spectral 
sight !  What  a  mangled  mass,  what  a  dark  picture ! 
They  are  fallen  rebel  soldiers.  The  thirty  who  re- 
mained in  the  Fort  and  worked  the  guns  in  those 
hours  of  darkness,  have  been  excavated  from  the 
rubbish.  It  is  sad  to  think  how  they  fell ;  how 
they  died  fighting  against  the  old  flag — against  the 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  29 

country  which  fostered  their  fathers  and  them  in  the 
lap  of  human  freedom.  I  will  turn  from  this  scene ; 
it  is  too  heart  rending.  I  will  wend  my  way  to  the 
bivouac  fires.  This  evening  the  few  captives  of 
Fort  Henry  are  forwarded  to  Cairo.  Among  the 
number  are  General  Tighlman  and  his  Assistant 
Adjutant  General. 

Sunday,  9th. — This  morning  troops  are  land- 
ing. Everywhere  around  Fort  Henry,  inside  and 
outside  the  fortifications,  the  camp  fires  are  burn* 
ing.  About  twenty  thousand  troops  throng  the 
woods.  General  Grant  is  evidently  preparing  for 
some  great  work. 

Monday  and  Tuesday,  10th  and  llth. — Troojfc 
are  landing  all  the  while,  from  Illinois,  Indiana? 
and  Ohio.  The  great  northwest  seem  to  be  flocking 
in.  The  Seventh  move  their  camp  back  in  the  woods 
and  pitch  their  tents  on  high  ground.  We  are  more 
comfortable  now;  not  so  much  crowded.  We  are 
out  where  the  free  winds  blow.  It  is  rumored  that 
General  Grant  designs  moving  upon  the  rebels  in 
their  stronghold  at  Fort  Donelson.  We  may  ad- 
vance soon.  Ere  another  sun  shall  have  been  far  on 
its  journey,  the  army  perhaps  will  be  tramping,  and 
while  it  is  drifting  on  its  path,  may  the  God  of 
heaven  who  smiled  upon  Europe's  great  battle  fields, 
smile  upon  the  army  of  the  Republic  as  she  flings 
her  banners  to  the  wind  and  battles  for  the  world's 
last  hope,  for  liberty,  fidelity,  and  truth. 


CHAPTEK  IV. 

Our  March  to  Fort  Donelson — The  Battle  of  Fort  Donelson — 
The  Surrender — Our  Losses — Our  Camp  at  Clarksville — Our 
Trip  up  the  Cumberland  to  Nashville— Return  to  Clarksville— 
Descending  the  Cumberland— Ascending  the  Tennessee — The 
Fleet — Landing  at  Pittsburg  Landing — Our  Camp  there — Ru- 
mors of  the  Enemy's  Advance. 

Wednesday  Morning,  12th. — There  is  a  clear  blue 
sky  over  head.  Aids  and  orderlies  are  moving 
hither  and  thither ;  drums  are  beating  and  bugles  are 
blowing  as  if  to  say,  "Up  boys  and  be  ready,  for 
Grant  is  on  his  restless  steed."  The  army  is  soon  in 
motion  ;  the  banners  are  fluttering,  and  pennons  fly- 
ing. We  look  away  through  the  woods  and  behold 
their  beautiful  light  streaming  around  stalwart  men. 
It  is  early  when  our  brigade  (the  3d)  commanded  by 
our  Colonel,  "  John  Cook,"  moves  from  camp  in 
the  woods  near  Fort  Henry.  The  Seventh  at  the 
appointed  time  takes  up  the  line  of  march,  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Babcock.  The  regi- 
ment is  in  fine  spirits ;  the  hearts  of  the  men  beat 
high.  In  their  mind's  eye  they  weave  wreaths  of 
fame.  They  seem  to  foresee  themselves  crowned 
with  glory.  But  do  they  dream  that  they  will  see 
blood  flow  at  their  feet ;  that  some  of  their  number 
will  go  down  in  their  glory  ere  the  sun  makes  many 
more  circuits  around  the  world? 

A  great  many  regiments  have  moved  on  before  us. 
At  ten  minutes  past  one  o'clock  we  hear  the  report  of 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  31 

artillery.  It  comes  from  the  gun-boats  on  the  Cum- 
berland. We  move  on  briskly,  and  go  into  camp 
two  miles  from  Fort  Donelson.  The  siege  of  this 
rebel  Gibralter  has  already  commenced.  The  gun- 
boats keep  muttering.  Echoes  come  from  the  river 
like  echoes  from  wrathful  thunder.  But  by  and  by 
the  regiment  falls  asleep  on  their  bed  of  leaves,  and 
all  night  long  we  hear  in  our  dreams  the  bolts  of  war, 
and  behold  the  surge  of  men  in  terrible  battle. 

Thursday,  13th. — This  is  &  beautiful  still  morning, 
though  its  stillness  is  occasionally  interrupted  by  the 
heavy  cannonading  on  the  Cumberland.  After 
hastily  eating  our  breakfast,  we  are  ordered  into  line. 

Soon  Colonel  Babcock  gives  the  command  "for- 
ward !"  Going  a  short  distance  we  are  ordered  to 
"halt!"  "  unsling  knapsacks!"  "draw  overcoats!" 
"We  throw  them  in  the  fence  corners,  and  move  for- 
ward on  double-quick  time.  Soon  we  are  in  the 
fray.  While  marching  over  a  hill  and  down  towards 
a  ravine,  the  Seventh  encounters  a  masked  battery. 
It  is  our  first  encounter — our  initiation.  But  oh, 
how  fierce !  we  are  only  seventy-five  yards  from  the 
battery's  wrathful  front.  Grape  and  canister  fall 
thick  and  fast.  There  is  a  little  hesitation,  but  with 
their  gallant  Colonel  and  enthusiastic  Major,  the 
men  stand  the  tempest.  Colonel  Babcock,  with 
his  quick  perception,  discovers  at  once  the  situation 
of  his  regiment,  and  with  the  ready  aid  of  Major 
Rowett,  succeeds  in  making  a  flank  movement,  pass- 
ing from  the  rebel  battery's  immediate  front  to  a 
more  congenial  locality.  In  this,  our  first  engage- 


32  HISTORY    OF   THE 

ment,  one  noble  soldier  has  fallen.  It  seems  almost 
a;  miracle  that  more  did  not  fall.  But  only  one  went 
down — the  gallant  Captain  Noah  E.  Mendell,  of  com- 
pany I. 

The  principal  fighting  to-day  has  been  done  by 
the  sharp-shooters.  There  is  a  lull  now.  Noth- 
ing is  heard  save  an  occasional  shot  from  the  gun- 
boats. Darkness  has  come  and  we  bivouac  for  the 
night;  soon  it  commences  to  rain ;  then  changes  from 
a  cold  rain  to  sleet  and  snow.  Oh !  how  cold  the 
winter  winds  blow.  We  dare  nofc  build  any  camp 
fires,  for  Grant's  edict  has  wisely  gone  forth,  forbid- 
ding it.  The  soldiers  suffer  to-night.  Some  of  them 
have  no  blankets.  During  the  latter  part  of  the 
night,  Colonel  Babcock,  with  his  men,  could  have 
been  seen  pacing  up  and  down  a  hill  to  keep  from 
freezing.  Oh!  what  a  long  cheerless  night;  and  with 
what  anxiousness  the  soldiers  wait  for  the  morning's 
dawn. 

Friday,  14th. — Never  was  morning  light  more 
welcome  than  this  morning's  light  is  to  the  army  of 
the  Tennessee,  for  with  it  comes  the  camp  fires- 
Everywhere,  on  the  hills  and  in  the  ravines,  their 
cheering  light  is  seen.  But  the  soldiers  are  still  suf- 
fering. Their  blankets  are  frozen,  their  clothes  are 
wet.  They  stand  everywhere  shivering  around  the 
camp  fires.  It  is  still  raining  and  sleeting,  (having 
changed  from  sleet  and  snow).  The  loyal  hearts 
would  start  tears  of  love,  could  they  see  how  this 
mighty  army  is  thus  standing  down  on  the  banks  of 
the  Cumberland,  with  not  a  murmur  heard  to  escape 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  33 

them.  Imagining  myself  not  one  of  these,  but  im- 
agining myself  disinterested,  that  I  may  be  freed 
from  accusations  of  egotism,  I  would  say  that  man- 
hood stands  here — men  of  fidelity;  men  of  unexam- 
pled devotion  to  the  country,  the  flag  and  freedom. 
But  how  sad  the  fact  to  know  that  there  are  some 
who  would  know  it  not.  Though  it  is  cold,  and  the 
winds  blow,  and  the  soldiers  are  suffering,  it  is  not 
long  until  the  firing  commences.  We  are  now  in 
range  of  the  rebel  batteries.  The  cannon  balls  are 
fiying  over  our  heads,  snapping  off  the  tree  tops,  and 
performing  general  havoc  in  the  woods. 

We  are  now  remaining  at  "  a  stand,"  in  rear  of  the 
fort,  and  while  here  we  hear  heavy  cannonading  in 
the  direction  of  the  Cumberland.  It  is  the  gun-boats 
feeling  Fort  Donelson's  strength.  The  sharp-shoot- 
ers are  doing  their  work.  They  greatly  annoy  the 
enemy  by  keeping  them  from  their  guns.  No  gen- 
eral fighting  to-day,  but  the  siege  goes  bravely  on. 

It  is  night  now.  It  bids  fair  to  be  one  ot  winter's 
cold,  rayless  nights;  no  moon,  no  stars  are  seen. 
Dark,  threatening  clouds  fling  their  curtains  adown 
the  sky,  telling  the  boys  in  blue  that  they  will  suffer. 

Saturday,  15th. — It  snowed  again  last  night,  but 
this  morning  the  sky  is  clear ;  the  clouds  have  disap- 
peared, and  the  sunlight  is  seen  again  on  the  Cum- 
berland hills.  How  cheeringly  does  it  fall  around 
the  weary  soldiers.  It  is  indeed  a  blessing  sent  from 
heaven,  for  Grant  and  his  army.  But  hark!  we 
hear  the  rattle  of  musketry.  It  conies  from  the  right 
wing.  Soon  we  learn  that  Lawman's,  McArthur's 
2* 


d4  HISTORY    OF   THE 

and  Oglesby's  brigades  are  engaged.  The  battle  is 
now  raging  furiously.  Our  regiment  is  ordered  to 
hasten  to  the  left.  Down  the  ravines,  over  the  hills 
and  across  the  abattis,  the  Seventh,  led  by  the  brave 
Colonel  Babcock,  and  cheered  by  the  gallant  Rowett? 
go  thundering  on  to  where  the  wild  battle  storm 
rages.  Arriving  at  the  scene  ol  action,  we  find  the 
Second  Iowa  and  an  Indiana  regiment  in  position 
near  the  enemy's  worjss,  breasting  manfully  a  rebel 
battery  playing  upon  them  from  a  hill  inside  the 
outer  works.  Rushing  into  the  conflict,  Colonel 
Babcock  forms  the  regiment  under  the  galling  fire. 
At  this  moment  the  veteran  General  Smith,  moving 
through  the  fearful  storm,  draws  rein  to  his  charger 
in  front  of  the  Seventh,  and  says  to  Colonel  Bab- 
cock, "I  never  saw  a  regiment  make  such  grand 
movements  under  such  a  fire  in  all  my  military  life 
as  your's  has  just  made.  Colonel,  I  thank  God  for 
your  command  at  this  moment.  Charge  that  rebel 
battery  !  charge  it  with  your  steel  and  silence  its  work 
of  death !"  The  Seventh's  bayonets  are  soon  up 
and  bristling.  The  battle  is  now  raging  furiously. 
The  general  casts  his  eyes  towards  the  west,  and  be- 
holding the  sun  fast  sinking  towards  the  horizon's 
bar,  he  turns  to  Colonel  Babcock  and  says,  "  I  coun- 
termand the  order  given  you  to  charge  that  bat- 
tery. It  is  now  too  late ;  I  will  leave  that  work  for 
you  to  do  to-morrow."  The  direful  death-dealing 
elements  are  still  flying  thick  and  fast.  The  Seventh 
is  now  baring  its  bosom  against  the  angry  storm.  Its 
colors  are  planted  and  flying  over  the  works. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  35 

Simultaneously  with  the  Second  Iowa  the  Seventh 
Illinois  pass  over  the  outer  works,  but  they  go  no  far- 
ther ;  the  rebel  batteries'  deadly  sweeps  check  them. 
The  gallant  Iowa  boys  claim  the  honor  of  being  the 
first  to  scale  Fort  Donelson's  walls.  They  claim  it 
rightly,  too,  and  history  will  award  to  them  the 
honor  of  being  a  little  ahead  of  the  Seventh  Illinois. 
As  it  is  said  the  brave  are  always  generous,  the  Sev- 
enth Illinois  will  demonstrate  it  by  giving  the  Iowa 
boys  the  credit  of  what  they  claim,  feeling  assured  at 
the  same  time  that  they  will  give  the  Seventh  Illinois 
the  credit  of  being  with  them  very  soon  after  they 
scaled  the  defenses,  when  together  we  drove  the 
rebels  back  in  confusion.  Night  now  conies  on,  put- 
ting a  stop  to  the  carnival  of  blood.  It  is  dark  now, 
though  as  we  look  around  we  can  see,  faintly,  the 
bodies  ot  the  gallant  dead.  It  is  indeed  heart  rend- 
ing to  see  how  many  noble  men  have  perished,  and 
to  see  how  many  are  wounded  and  how  many  are 
dying.  Blood  from  thousands  has  flowed  to-day,  and 
as  the  sun  went  down  it  shed  its  light  upon 
the  field,  adding  beauty  and  hallowed  glory  to  the 
crimson  life  blood  flowing  from  the  Anglo  Saxon's 
heart,  down  through  rippling  rills  and  gurgling 
brooks  to  where  the  beautiful  Cumberland  flows. 

Sunday,  16th. — This  morning  we  still  occupy  the 
position  gained  last  evening.  There  is  no  firing  this 
morning.  Why  this  quiet?  Why  this  stillness? 
The  enemy  may  be  preparing  for  a  more  determined 
resistance.  But  no,  there  is  a  truce !  Grant  is  now 
holding  communication  with  the  rebel  General 


36  HISTOBY   OF   THE 

Buckner.  Buckner  gives  terms  upon  which  he  will 
surrender.  Grant  says,  ".ZV0,  I  demand  an  uncon- 
ditional surrender.  I  propose  to  move  immediately 
upon  your  works"  He  waits  for  an  answer.  All 
are  in  suspense  now.  Go  with  me  to  yonder  eleva- 
tion ;  look  eastward ;  the  sun  is  far  on  its  journey, 
while  over  the  broad  land  church  bells  are  ringing, 
and  while  the  loyal  people  are  breathing  a  prayer  to 
heaven  for  the  army  and  navy,  fifty  thousand  war- 
riors are  being  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle.  Away 
yonder  in  the  woods,  we  see  the  General  mov- 
ing, followed  by  his  staff,  and  in  the  language  of 
Campbell  in  his  description  of  the  battle  of  the 
Baltic, 

"  As  their  war  steeds  went  surging  on  their  path, 
There  was  silence  deep  as  death, 
And  the  boldest  held  his  breath 
For  a  time." 

But  hark !  what  mean  those  shouts  that  come 
rolling  down  the  line?  "Fort  Donelson  is  ours!" 
The  rebel  flag  has  been  lowered,  and  afar  we 
see  the  white  flag  waving.  An  unconditional  sur- 
render has  been  made  of  the  whole  rebel  force  and 
munitions  of  war.  With  colors  flying  and  drums 
beating,  we  pass  into  Fort  Donelson.  Our  quarters 
to-night  are  those  lately  occupied  by  the  rebels.  The 
Seventh  feels  good,  knowing  that  they  have  helped 
to  gain  a  brilliant  victory,  adding  new  glory  to  the 
old  flag. 

Monday,  17th. — This  morning  the  boys  in  blue  are 
everywhere  in  and  around  Fort  Donelson,  scattered 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  37 

among  the  boys  in  gray,  rehearsing  the  scenes  they 
have  witnessed,  and  the  trials  through  which  they 
have  passed.  Although  the  Seventh  was  in  the 
thickest  of  the  battle,  as  then-  riddled  colors  show, 
their  loss  is  comparatively  small.  The  casualties  in 
the  two  days'  battle  around  Fort  Donelson  are  as 
follows : 

Company  A. — Thomas  Crayon,  wounded. 

Company  B. — Private  Thomas  J.  Parish,  wounded 
in  left  hand ;  private  Edmond  P.  Mann,  wounded. 

Company  C. — John  Brint,  wounded  in  thigh. 

Company  D. — First  Lieutenant  James  Munn, 
wounded  in  face. 

Company  F. — John  Dell,  wounded ;  Rosewell  C. 
Staples,  wounded. 

Company  G. — Jno.  H.  Dougherty,  wounded  in  arm. 

Company  H. — Private  John  D.  Turner,  wounded 
in  head. 

Company  I. — Captain  Noah  E.  Mendell,  killed ; 
Ole  Porter,  killed;  Corporal  William  Boring, 
wounded,  leg  amputated. 

Company  K. — John  W.  Hopper,  killed  by  cannon 
shot;  Corporal  Thomas  Kirby,  wounded  severely; 
Corporal  Wallace  Smith,  wounded  slightly;  John 
Rhodes,  wounded  severely  ;  Julius  Wolf,  wounded 
slightly :  Dili  van  D.  Daniels,  wounded  severely ; 
Winfry  Mitchell,  wounded  slightly ;  Charles  Huff- 
man, wounded  severely,  leg  amputated ;  Jacob  Hoen, 
wounded  slightly.  Sum  total  of  casualties,  20. 

In  looking  over  the  list  we  notice  that  company  K, 
the  gallant  Captain  Hunter's  company,  sustained 


38  HISTORY   OF   THE 

nearly  half  the  loss  in  the  regiment.  Noble  old  Car- 
linville  company,  under  its  brave  leader,  made  a  fear- 
ful swing  on  these  fortified  hills.  We  will  add 
no  more ;  their  list  of  casualties  speaks  for  itself.  It 
tells  the  story  more  plainly  than  pen  can  write  it. 
Though  our  loss  is  light,  we  miss  those  who  have 
fallen,  and  those  who  have  been  wounded.  Among 
the  most  distinguished  who  fell  in  these  wintry  days 
of  battle  before  Fort  Donelson  will  ever  appear  the 
name  of  the  brave  Captain  Noah  E.  Mendell,  of 
company  I.  In  view  of  the  accident  that  befell  him 
near  Fort  Henry,  his  friends  remonstrated  with  him, 
and  besought  him  to  remain  at  the  rear,  but  when 
the  order  was  given  "Forward  to  Fort  Donelson," 
he  determined  not  to  be  thwarted  by  anything. 
Evading  the  surgeon,  who  forbade  his  going,  alleg- 
ing, as  was  the  case,  that  he  was  unfit  for  duty,  he 
pressed  on,  saying  to  his  gallant  First  Lieutenant, 
Edward  S.  Johnson  :  "Ed,  you  take  command  of  the 
company ;  Iwill  follow  you  as  long  as  I  have  strength." 
When  he  heard  the  drums  beating,^  and  the  loud 
huzzas  away  on  those  hills,  his  heart  beat  high,  and  its 
silent  language  was,  men  tell  me  not  to"  stay ;  I  will 
go  where  that  old  flag  goes  to-day.  Being  unable 
from  the  injuries  received  near  Fort  Henry,  to  buckle 
his  sword  belt  around  his  waist,  he  buckled  it  around 
his  neck  and  followed  close  in  the  rear  of  his  com- 
pany, cheering  his  men  and  telling  them  to  stand  by 
their  brave,  youthful  leader,  Lieutenant  Johnson, 
who  was  then  commanding  the  company.  But  how 
soon  are  his  hopes  dashed  down.  A  whizzing  grape 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  39 

comes  crashing  through  the  woods  and  singles  him 
as  its  victim,  entering  his  head  just  beneath  the  right 
ear,  coming  out  immediately  through  the  center  of  his 
left.  His  death  was  instantaneous,  and  he  fell  with 
his  sword  still  above  his  head,  with  his  face  lit 
up  with  the  smile  of  triumph — a  glorious  death  and 
such  as  all  brave  and  patriotic  soldiers  like  him 
would  wish  to  die — face  to  face  with  the  enemies  of 
his  country.  Captain  Mendell  was  born  in  Blairs- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  November  kth,  1837,  and  conse- 
quently was  in  his  twenty-fifth  year  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  February  13th,  1862.  When  the  call  was 
made  for  three  months'  volunteers  he  was  among  the 
first  to  offer  his  services,  together  with  a  majority  of 
Captain  John  Cook's  (State  Militia)  company,  de- 
nominated the  Springfield  Zouave  Grays,  of  which 
he  was  long  a  respected  member.  Upon  Captain 
Cook's  promotion  to  Colonel,  Mendell  rose  to  Second 
Lieutenant,  in  which  capacity  he  served  during  the 
three  months'  service,  at  the  close  of  which  he  was 
unanimously  chosen  Captain  for  the  three  years'  ser- 
vice. He  was  the  only  brother  of  Captain  G.  H. 
Mendell,  of  the  United  States  Topographical  Engi- 
neers, professor  at  "West  Point,  whom,  with  a  loving 
father  and  sister,  he  leaves  to  mourn  his  early  death. 
He  is  silently  sleeping  now.  May  he  sleep  well,  and 
may  the  noble  men  of  his  company,  should  they  in 
coming  years  pass  his  grave,  tread  lightly  there  and 
shed  a  silent  tear  to  his  memory;  and  may  every 
soldier  of  the  Seventh  do  likewise,  remembering  that 
there  sleeps  the  gallant  Captain  Noah  E.  Mendell, 


4:0  HISTORY    OF  .THE 

the  first  brave  soldier  of  the  Seventh  who  fell  in  the 
war  for  the  Union,  and  the  first  in  Grant's  army  who 
fell  a  victim  upon  the  Union  altar  before  the  battle- 
ments of  Fort  Donelson. 

Preparations  are  now  being  made  to  send  his  re- 
mains home  to  be  buried  in  the  Springfield  cemetery. 
As  a  martyr,  we  give  him  to  the  loyal  people  of 
Springfield,  and  the  Seventh,  especially  his  noble 
company,  appeals  to  them  in  the  language  of  the 
poetess : 

"Lay  him  where  the  clover  blooms, 

Let  the  gallant  soldier  rest 
Where  the  twilight  dews  will  fall 

On  his  youthful  breast. 

"Lay  him  where  the  evening  sun 

Gives  to  him  her  parting  ray  ; 
Where  the  violet  droops  her  head 

At  the  closing  day. 

•"Lay  him  where  the  midnight  star 

Sheds  o'er  him  her  gentle  light ; 
Where  the  wood  bird's  plaintive  strain 

Serenades  the  night. 

*'  Lay  him  where  the  stars  and  stripes 

Will  o'er  him  ever  wave  ; 
Where  no  foe  can  touch  the  realm, 

For  which  he  died  to  save. 

"Lay  him  where  bright  angel  wings 

Will  guard  his  happy  sleep  ; 
Until  the  Saviour's  voice  shall  call, 

May  their  faithful  vigil  keep." 

Company  D  has  lost  for  a  time  their  loved  and 
brave-hearted  Lieutenant  Munn.  True  to  the  flag 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  41 

and  its  fostered  principles,  he  fought  valiantly  until 
wounded,  when  he  was  compelled  to  leave  the  field. 
We  remember  when  he  went  bleeding  from  the  hill, 
when  we  were  making  the  assault  on  Saturday  even- 
ing. He  was  foremost  in  the  fray,  fighting  bravely 
until  the  battle  was  waning,  when  one  of  the  deadly 
messengers  selected  him  as  its  prey,  inflicting  a 
frightful  wound  in  his  face.  Heroic  soldier!  We 
fear  he  will  battle  no  more  in  the  cause  of  human 
right. 

The  wounded  are  now  being  sent  north,  and  while 
there,  may  they  receive  from  the  loyal  people  tokens 
of  gratitude,  that  will  make  them  feel  glad  that 
they  stood  on  the  banks  of  the  Cumberland,  when 
the  winter  winds  blew,  and  when  the  battle  king 
made  his  deadly  march,  causing  shot  and  shell  to 
make  a  dirge-like  music  where  they  stood.  We  can- 
not pass  without  alluding  to  the  noble  ones  who 
passed  through  the  battle  untouched ;  who  bore  the 
flag  through  tempest  and  storm  and  planted  its  staff 
firmly  in  the  ramparts.  But  how  can  we  distinguish 
any  when  all  were  brave ;  when  all  stood  so  nobly 
during  those  fierce  hours  of  battle  ? 

Lieutenant  Colonel  A.  J.  Babcock  deserves  the 
praise  of  all.  Cool  and  calm  as  a  placid  brook,  with 
a  heart  that  prompted  to  daring  deeds,  he  led  his  men 
through  the  terrible  storm,  and  as  they  followed 
him  there  was  power  felt  on  those  hills.  He 
displayed  a  tact  and  skill  in  handling  the  regiment, 
forming  it  at  one  time  under  a  galling  fire,  which 
elicited  the  commendation  of  the  General  command- 


42  HISTOKY   OF   THE 

ing.  We  will  not  soon  forget  how  often  his  voice 
rang  out  in  inspiring  tones,  and  how  the  Seventh 
went  surging  on  with  him,  and  how  her  flag  was  oft- 
times  seen,  reflecting  its  light  where  smoke  and  red- 
hot  flame  belched  forth  from  brazen  fronts. 

Major  Rowett  also  deserves  the  plaudits  of  all. 
Enthusiastic,  but  not  rash,  he  was  found  where  all  the 
brave  were  found.  None  but  could  admire  his  dash — 
so  free,  so  courageous — as  he  moved  with  the  regi- 
ment on  those  hills  with  defiance,  lacing  danger  and 
cheering  his  men  on  to  victory.  Says  he,  since  the 
battle :  "I  never  felt  so  happy  in  all  my  life  as  when 
before  that  rebel  battery  the  first  day ;  happy  because 
I  there  discovered  that  I  had  a  heart  to  face  the  can- 
non's mouth,  which  I  did  not  feel  certain  of  having 
until  then."  Many  of  the  Seventh  can  speak  like- 
wise ;  can  testify  that  they  feel  glad  in  their  hearts  that 
they  have  been  tried  and  not  found  wanting.  Among 
the  brigade  commanders  none  were  more  conspicuous 
when  the  battle  was  at  its  highest  than  our  Colonel, 
John  Cook.  Amid  the  terrible  storm  that  rolled 
from  the  cannon's  angry  front  he  stood.  Though 
death  and  carnage  followed  in  its  wake,  making  little 
streams  beneath  his  feet,  he  faltered  not,  but  with 
that  veteran  soldier  and  brave  general,  Smith,  he 
moved  until  the  sun  went  down  and  the  battle  storm 
was  hushed. 

Tuesday,  18th. — This  morning  a  fatigue  party  is 
detailed  from  the  Seventh  to  help  bury  the  dead  on 
the  battle  field,  and  those  who  died  from  wounds  re- 
ceived in  battle,  who  are  now  lying  in  every  house  in 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTKY.  43 

Dover  (a  small  village  on  the  banks  of  the  Cumber- 
land inside  the  fortifications).  All  day  yesterday  the 
fatigue  parties  were  engaged  burying  the  noble  slain. 
War  is  indeed  a  mad  machine,  terrible  in  its  work. 

"  Silently  extended  on  the  gory  main, 
The  fallen  warriors  mid  the  carnage  lay  ; 

No  hand  was  there  to  ease  the  racking  pain, 
And  staunch  the  life  blood  ebbing  fast  away." 

But  when  the  old  flag  comes  home  to  Tennessee, 
over  the  Union  soldiers'  graves  will  be  built  up  all 
that  their  posterity  shall  desire  of  order  and  govern- 
ment. 

Wednesday,  19th. — This  morning  it  is  raining  very 
hard.  A  large  number  of  troops  have  found  shelter 
in  the  rebel  barracks,  but  some  are  still  out  in  the 
woods  without  blankets.  (For  once  the  Seventh  is 
more  fortunate.)  But  they  are  cheerM  and  their 
spirits  run  high  when,  they  look  at  the  old  flag  and 
see  where  and  how  far  into  Tennessee  they  have 
borne  it. 

Thursday,  20th. — To-day  we  receive  orders  to  hold 
ourselves  in  readiness  to  move  at  a  moment's  notice. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Babcock  having,  from  exposure 
and  care  in  the  late  battle  become  prostrated  upon  a 
soldier's  sick  bed,  leaves  the  regiment  to-day  on 
a  hospital  steamer  for  Paducah,  Kentucky.  All 
regret  to  see  him  leave,  for  we  can  illy  spare  an  offi- 
cer who  has  stood  by  the  regiment  so  faithfully 
in  hours  of  gloom  and  darkness.  The  regiment  is 
now  commanded  by  Major  Rowett,  and  our  faith  is, 
that  he,  like  the  brave  Babcock,  will  lead  us 


44  HISTORY    OF    THE 

through   storm   and  tempest    to  victory  and^  glory. 

Friday,  21st. — To-day  we  are  marched  on  board  the 
steamer  Tigress,  and  soon  are  moving  up  the 
Cumberland  river.  The  weather  is  pleasant.  The 
scenery  along  the  river,  the  cliffs,  the  vales  and  the 
hills,  crowned  with  beautiful  cedars,  are  imposing. 
The  negroes  nock  to  the  shore  and  their  hearts  seem 
to  bound  as  they  behold  their  deliverers  coming 
up  the  river  with  the  old  Union's  banner  proudly 
waving. 

Saturday  morning  we  land  at  Clarksville,  Ten- 
nessee, /orty  miles  above  Fort  Donelson.  After 
landing,  the  regiment  is  quartered  in  an  old  tobacco 
factory,  which  seems  to  please  those  who  smoke,  for 
there  is  a  superabundance  of  the  weed  stored  here. 
Says  one:  "  This  will  save  our  'collaterals.' '  We  re- 
main in  camp  here  until  the  twenty-seventh ;  during 
this  time  we  are  unable  to  note  anything  of  much 
interest,  but  the  Seventh  will  long  remember  Clarks- 
ville ;  their  comfortable  quarters  and  pleasant  life 
while  there ;  also  the  citizens,  especially  the  ladies  of 
rebel  proclivities,  who  were  ofttimes  heard  chanting 
their  songs — songs  that  made  music  in  the  wind  that 
swept  along  the  Cumberland's  shore.  But  ah !  it  was 
music  for  a  desperate  cause. 

Friday,  28th. — This  morning  we  are  lying  on  the 
river  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  having  arrived  here 
last  night  from  Clarksville,  on  the  steamer  Diana. 
From  the  deck  of  the  steamer  we  behold  waving 
from  Tennessee's  capitol  dome  "old  glory,"  which 
was  presented  to  General  Nelson  by  one  of  Ten- 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  45 

nessee's  patriot  sires,  upon  his  advent  into  the  city; 
a  banner  that  was  presented  when  rebels  were  dom- 
inant, and  the  angry  passions  of  wicked  men  surged 
around  its  devoted  lover's  head ;  but  now  it  can  wave 
unmolested,  for  the  free  winds  chant  their  requiem 
over  there. 

Saturday,  March  1st. — We  leave  Nashville;  de- 
scend the  river,  and  return  to  Clarksville,  where  we 
are  again  quartered  in  the  old  tobacco  factory. 
We  still  find  Clarksville  a  very  congenial  locality, 
notwithstanding  the  citizens'  hearts  are  with  the 
South  in  its  struggle  for  "Empire."  We  remain 
here  until  Friday,  when  the  Seventh  for  the  second 
time  leaves  Clarksville  and  the  old  tobacco  factory. 
Marching  on  board  the  steamer  E.  H.  Fairchild,  we 
are  soon  descending  the  Cumberland.  As  we  pass 
Fort  Donelson,  we  are  reminded  that  over  on  those 
hills,  and  in  those  ravines  brave  men  sleep — sleep  as 
martyrs  for  freedom.  As  we  glide  quietly  down 
beneath  the  shadow  of  the  projecting  cliffs,  we  imagine 
that  a  voice  comes  from  those  hills  and  ravines,  say- 
ing to  us  in  the  language  of  the  poet: 

u  Ye  harvesters,  rally  from  mountain  and  valley, 

And  reap  the  fields  we  have  won  ; 
We  sowed  for  endless  years  of  peace, 

We  harrowed  and  watered  well ; 
Our  dying  deeds  are  the  scattered  seeds, 

Shall  they  perish  where  they  fell?" 

Saturday,  Sth.^-This  morning  we  are  on  the  Ohio, 
and  it  is  not  long  until  we  join  the  fleet  that  came 
before  us  from  the  Cumberland.  Presently  we  make 


4:6  HISTORY    OF   THE 

a  turn  and  pass  into  the  waters  of  the  Tennessee 
river. 

Tuesday,  18th. — This  morning  we  are  at  a  stand  in 
the  river  at  Pittsburg  Landing.  The  fleet  is  large 
— about  one  hundred  steamers  throng  the  river.  As 
far  as  the  eye  can  reach,  up  and  down,  their  smoke- 
stacks can  be  seen  looming  up.  The  Seventh  has 
now  been  on  the  Fairchild  for  eleven  days.  They 
have  been  crowded,  and  part  of  the  time  the  weather 
has  been  very  inclement.  The  expedition  thus  far 
has  been  one  of  exciting  interest.  All  along  the 
river,  where  the  old  flag  was  seen  to  flash  its  light, 
loyal  ones  flocked  to  the  shores,  and  as  they  beheld 
the  proud  steamers  moving  up  the  Tennessee,  with 
that  golden  treasure  on  their  masts,  and  from  the 
decks  the  bayonets  gleaming,  they  wept  tears  of 
joy,  for  they  knew  that  with  them  would  come 
freedom  and  protection. 

Wednesday,  19th. — This  morning  it  is  raining, 
having  rained  all  night.  It  is  an  unwelcome  compli- 
ment to  the  fleet.  The  troops  are  landing  to-day  at 
Pittsburg  Landing.  The  Seventh  is  still  compelled 
to  remain  crowded  and  jammed  upon  the  Fairchild. 
The  men  are  all  anxious  to  get  on  to  terra  firma. 
It  is  very  unhealthy  here — so  crowded.  The  water 
in  the  river  where  so  many  steamboats  are  anchored, 
is  not,  (so  the  surgeons  say,)  a  very  genuine  article, 
and  in  consequence  a  large  number  of  the  boys  are 
on  the  sick  list. 

Thursday,  20th. — The  troops  are  still  landing.  It 
seems  that  this  point  is  to  be  Grant's  base.  But 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  REGIMENT.  4$ 

when  we  will  get  on  the  base  is  concerning  the 
Seventh  more  particularly  now  than  anything  else. 
Only  some  place  to  breathe,  that  is  all  that  is  at  pres- 
ent demanded. 

Friday,  21st. — This  morning,  after  having  pa- 
tiently waited  their  time,*  the  Seventh  is  marched 
from  the  Fairchild  and  camped  in  the  woods  back 
from  the  landing.  It  is  indeed  refreshing  and  invig- 
orating to  get  out  where  the  fresh  winds  blow. 
Those  of  the  Seventh  who  were  fanatical  on  steam- 
boat riding  don't  seem  inclined  to  expatiate  much 
upon  its  beauties  after  their  thirteen  day's  ride  and 
life  on  the  Fairchild.  None  are  found  to  cast  a  tear 
of  regret  on  leaving  their  repulsive  berths. 

Saturday,  22d. — The  fires  are  burning  brightly  in 
our  camp  this  morning.  All  seem  to  have  more 
genial  looking  faces  than  when  on  the  steamboat. 
This  evening  we  have  dress  parade,  and  as  usual  a 
large  number  of  officers  and  soldiers  from  the  sur- 
rounding camps  assemble  on  our  parade  ground. 
What  is  the  attraction?  Why  so  many  congre- 
gated here  ?  inquires  a  general  officer  riding  by. 
Those  of  the  army  of  the  Tennessee  assembled  tell 
him  it  is  because  the  Seventh  can  drill. 

Saturday,  April  5th. — Nothing  of  note  has  oc- 
curred to  relieve  the  monotony  of  camp  life.  There 
is  now  a  large  army  concentrated  here.  Far  away 
on  the  hills  and  in  the  ravines  the  tents  and  the  sol- 
diers are  seen.  Up  to  this  time  we  have  had  consid- 
able  rain.  The  roads  and  by-ways  into  the  camps 
are  cut  up  terribly.  It  is  with  difficulty  that  the  Sev- 


48  HISTORY    OF   THE 

enth  keeps  above  inud  and  water.  Vague  rumors 
are  afloat  this  evening  to  the  effect  that  Albert  Sid- 
ney Johnson  is  moving  towards  the  Tennessee  with 
his  entire  command;  however,  not  much  credit 
is  attached  to  it.  But  we  may  anticipate  days  of  des- 
perate strife — days  of  fire  and  carnage  in  Tennessee, 
for  no  doubt  there  has  been  or  is  being  a  concentra- 
tion of  the  rebel  armies  under  Johnson  and  Beaure- 
gard,  with  headquarters  at  Corinth,  Mississippi, 
twenty-five  miles  from  Pittsburg  Landing.  Their 
hopes  are  no  doubt  beating  high  for  revenge  upon 
Grant's  army,  in  consideration  of  the  blow  wielded 
against  them,  in  those  stormy  days  of  battle  around 
Fort  Donelson. 


CHAPTER  Y. 

The  battle  of  Shiloh— The  first  day— The  attack— The  first  posi- 
tion of  the  Seventh — The  advanced  position  of  the  Seventh — 
Their  danger — Their  retreat — Their  new  line — The  fearful 
tempest — The  lull — Grant's  last  line  Sunday  evening — The  vic- 
tors of  that  last  great  line — The  arrival  of  Buell — The  night — 
The  rain — The  stlent  sleepers — The  second  day — The  two 
armies  fighting  hand  to  hand — The  enemy's  retreat — The  fall- 
ing of  the  curtain — The  Seventh's  camp  upon  the  field — The 
fallen — List  of  casualties — The  record — The  Seventh's  wounded 
— The  living — Burying  the  dead — Our  camp  at  Shiloh  after  the 
battle — Marching  orders. 

Sunday,  the  6th  of  April,  1862. — It  is  now  move 
ing — a  beautiful  Sabbath  morning.  The  dews  have 
^one  to  heaven  and  the  stars  have  gone  to  God;  the 
sky  is  all  inlaid  with  crimson,  far  away  to  the  east. 
From  behind  the  eastern  hills  the  sun  is  peering ;  it  is 
moving  on  its  path.  But  ere  it  has  long  illumed  the 
sky,  war's  dread  tocsin  is  heard ;  the  sullen  roar  of 
artillery  breaks  upon  our  ears,  telling  to  us  that  the 
storm-king  of  battle  would  ride  upon  the  banks  of 
the  Tennessee  to-day.  The  army  of  the  Tennessee 
springs  to  arms  to  meet  the  advancing  columns  of 
Albert  Sidney  Johnson.  The  pennons  are  now*  fly- 
ing. Major  Rowett  and  the  Seventh  are  quickly 
buckled  for  the  conflict.  Her  old,  tattered  and  shot- 
riven  flag  goes  flying  through  the  woods,  and  the 
regiment  is  soon  in  the  conflict.  Their  position 
is  now  behind  a  rail  fence.  Oh  1  the  angry  tempest 
that  rolls  around  here!  Belching  cannons,  shotted 
3 


50  HISTORY    OF   THE 

to  the  muzzle,  are  now  plowing  deep  lanes  in  the 
Union  ranks.  How  can  we  describe  the  s^ind  of  a 
storm  of  grape  and  canister,  cutting  their  hellish 
paths  through  serried  ranks  of  human  beings.  It  is 
impossible.  Many  are  the  storms  flying  around  the 
Seventh  now.  Thicker  and  faster  they  come,  but 
those  noble  men  who  bore  that  riddled  flag  over  Fort 
Donelson's  walls,  struggle  on.  Many  have  breathed 
quickly,  and,  trampled  under  their  comrades'  feet, 
have  rolled  in  bloody  agonies  and  now  lie  in  quiet 
eternal  slumber.  The  mighty  armies  are  now  strug- 
gling— struggling  desperately  for  the  life  or  death  of 
a  nation. 

Fiercer  and  fiercer  rages  the  battle.  The  great 
Grant  is  moving  on  the  field  with  a  mighty 
power.  But  fearful  odds  are  against  us,  and  the 
army  of  the  Tennessee  is  compelled  to  yield  position 
after  position.  The  Seventh  has  been  forced  to 
yield  many  points  to-day ;  at  one  time  being  so  far 
in  the  advance,  we  were  left  without  support,  and 
had  it  not  been  for  the  quick  perception  of  our  gal- 
lant Major,  we  would  have  been  cut  off  and  captured. 
Forming  columns  by  divisions,,  we  retreated  from  our 
critical  position,  and  were  compelled  to  fall  back  across 
an  Open  field.  It  was  a  trying  time.  The  harsh, 
fierce  barking  of  the  dogs  of  war  made  the  earth 
tremble,  as  if  in  the  midst  of  a  convulsion.  But  there 
was  no  confusion  in  the  Seventh — no  panic  there. 
Led  by  the  brave  Kowett,  they  moved  firmly,  as  if 
to  say,  that  shot-pierced  flag,  tattered  and  torn,  shall 
not  go  down  to-day.  Major  Rowett,  with  the  aid  of 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  51 

Captain  Monroe,  acting  Major  now  form  a  new  lino 
with  the  Seventh.  War's  ruthless  machine  is  mov- 
ing with  a  relentless  force. 

It  is  now  past  noon.  .Confusion  reigns ;  brave 
men  are  falling  like  rain  drops.  All  seems  dark — 
seems  that  the  Union  army  will  be  crushed  by  this 
wild  sweep  of  treason.  But  on  the  crippled  army 
of  the  Tennessee  struggles ;  they  still  keep  the  flag 
up.  It  is  now  four  o'clock.  Step  by  step  the  army 
is  being  driven  back  towards  the  river.  The  old 
Union  banner  seems  to  be  drooping  in  the  wrathful 
storm,  but  by  an  almost  superhuman  effort  the  tide  is 
checked.  For  a  while  there  is  a  lull  in  the  battle,  but 
only  to  make  preparations  for  the  last  desperate 
assault — an  assault  in  which  the  enemy  expect  to  see 
the  old  flag  conie  down  to  their  feet. 

Buell  is  said  to  be  approaching ;  he  is  hourly  ex- 
pected. Grant  is  now  seen  moving  with  a  care-worn 
countenance.  He  moves  amid  the  carnage  to  form 
his  last  grand  line  one-fourth  mile  from  the  Ten- 
nessee, where  the  advance  is  now  driven.  Grant's 
last  line  is  formed.  It  is  a  line  of  iron,  a  line  of 
steel,  a  wall  of  stout  hearts,  as  firm,  as  powerful 
as  Napoleon  under  like  reverses  ever  formed  in  the 
days  of  his  imperial  power.  It  seems  almost  impos- 
sible for  such  a  line  to  be  formed  at  this  hour — 
so  compact.  On  every  available  spot  of  earth  an 
iron-lipped  monster  frowns.  It  is  a  trying  moment, 
for  Grant  knows  and  his  army  knows  that  should 
this  line  be  broken,  the  battle  would  be  lost  and  the 
proud  flag  would  be  compelled  to  fall.  At  half-past 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
AJ  URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 


52  HISTORY  OF  THE 

four  o'clock  Grant  dashes  through  the  woods.  His 
voice  rings  out :  "  They  come  !  they  come  !  Army  of 
the  Tennessee  stand  firm !"  A  breathless  silence  per- 
vades these  serried  ranks,fcuntil  broken  by  the  deafen- 
ing crash  of  artillery.  The  last  desperate  struggle 
on  Sunday  evening  now  commences.  One  hundred 
brazen  guns  are  carrying  terror  and  death  across 
Shiloh's  plain.  The  Seventh  is  at  its  place ;  every 
officer  and  soldier  is  at  his  post ;  Rowett  and  Monroe 
are  at  their  stations,  now  on  foot;  (Rowett's  horse 
killed  in  former  charge ;  Monroe's  disabled.)  All 
the  company  officers  are  in  their  places,  cheer- 
ing and  encouraging  their  gallant  men,  and  as 
we  gaze  upon  the  bristling  bayonets  that  are 
gleaming  along  the  Seventh's  line,  we  know  that 
every  brawny  arm  that  is  beneath  them  will  be  bared 
to  shield  the  old  flag.  The  infantry  are  clashing 
now,  but  this  line  of  stout  hearts  stands  firm.  The 
traitor  hosts  grow  desperate ;  the  earth  trembles ;  the 
sun  is  hid  behind  the  wrathful  smoke,  but  amid  all  the 
deafening  battle  elements  of  the  darkened  field,  the 
flag  and  its  defenders  stand.  Down  beneath  its 
shadow  brave  men  are  falling  to  close  their  eyes  in 
glory.  The  storm  still  increases  in  its  sweeping 
power.  About  five  o'clock  the  issue  becomes  doubt- 
ful ;  each  seems  to  hold  the  balance,  and  like  Napo- 
leon at  Waterloo,  who  prayed  that  night  or  Blucher 
would  come,  so  we  prayed  that  night  or  the  army  of 
Ohio  would  come.  About  this  time,  Albert  Sidney 
J  ohnson  poured  out  his  life-blood  upon  the  altar  of  a 
vain  ambition.  At  that  fatal  hour  the  enemy's  lines 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  53 

waver,  and  the  sun  goes  down  with  the  army  of  the 
Tennessee  standing  victorious  on  their  last  great  line. 

Night  comes,  and  with  it  Buell  comes,  but  only  in 
time  to  witness  the  closing  scene  on  Sunday  evening. 
"We  thanked  God  for  the  arrival  of  the  army  of  the 
Ohio,  but  we  never  thanked  God  for  Don  Carlos 
Buell  when  he  rode  across  the  Tennessee  and  spoke 
lightly  of  the  great  Grant,  who  had  successfully 
stemmed  the  wildest  storm  of  battle  that  ever  rolled 
upon  the  American  continent. 

The  sable  curtains  have  now  fallen,  closing  to 
our  eyes  the  terrible  scene.  Soon  it  commences 
to  rain.  Dark,  dark  night  for  the  army  of  the  Ten- 
nessee. Many  brave  men  are  sleeping  silently. 
They  have  fought  their  last  battle.  Fearful,  desola- 
ting war  has  done  a  desperate  work.  Noble  men 
have  thrown  themselves  into  the  dread  ordeal,  and 
passed  away.  The  human  pen  will  fail  to  picture  the 
battle-field  of  Shiloh  as  it  presented  itself  on  Sun- 
day night.  The  Seventh,  tired  and  almost  exhausted, 
drops  down  on  the  ground,  unmindful  of  the  falling 
rain,  to  rest  themselves.  Ere  it  was  noon  some 
of  the  Seventh  had  already  lain  down  to  rest,  and  ere 
it  was  night  others  laid  down,  but  it  was  an  eternal 
rest — the  soldier's  last  slumber.  Disastrous  war 
has  wrapped  its  winding  sheet  around  the  cold  form 
of  many  a  fond  mother's  boy,  and  before  many  days 
there  will  be  weeping  in  the  lonely  cottage  homes  ; 
weeping  for  the  loved  and  lost  who  are  now  sleeping 
beneath  the  .*all  oaks  on  the  banks  of  the  Tennessee. 
About  the  noble  men  of  the  Seventh  who  fell  to-day, 


54  HISTORY    OF    THE 

we  will  speak  hereafter;  we  shall  not  forget  them. 
How  could  we  forget  them,  when  they  have  played 
their  part  so  well  in  the  great  tragedy  ? 

Monday,  April  7th. — Last  night  was  a  doleful 
night  as  the  soldiers  laid  rn  this  wilderness  by 
the  Tennessee.  All  night  long  there  was  a  chilling 
rain,  and  the  April  wind  sighed  mournfully  around 
the  suffering,  wounded  warriors.  Many  a  wounded 
soldier  died  last  night.  During  the  weary  hours  the 
insatiate  archer  was  making  silent  steps. 

"  One  quivering  motion,  one  convulsive  throe, 
And  the  freed  spirits  took  their  upward  flight." 

Would  that  God  would  roll  back  the  storms  ot 
war  and  temper  the  hearts  of  men  ere  any  more 
human  blood  flows  down  like  rivulets  to  crimson 
the  beautiful  waters  of  the  Cumberland  and  Ten- 
nessee. But  oh!  it  seems  that  more  blood  must 
flow ;  that  away  up  yonder,  in  those  cottage  homes, 
where  the  prairie  winds  blow,  more  tears  must 
sparkle,  fall  and  perish ;  that  more  hearts  must  be 
broken — more  hopes  dashed  down — more  doomed 

"  In  their  nightly  dreams  to  hear 

The  bolts  of  war  around  them  rattle." 

Hark !  we  hear  a  rumble  and  a  roar.  It  is  a  rattle 
of  musketry  and  the  terrible  knell  from  the  cannon's 
mouth.  We  are  marched  to  the  front,  where  we  find 
Nelson  engaged.  His  hounds  of  war  are  let  loose. 
Inroads  are  being  made.  The  Seventh  is  filed  into 
position  and  ordered  to  lie  down.  "Though  the 
enemy  has  given  ground,  they  still  show  stubborn- 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  55 

ness.     We  are  now  in  a  sharp  place ;  there  is  some 
uneasiness  here.     A  cold  chill  creeps  over  the  sol- 
diers.    How  uncomfortable  it  is  to  be  compelled  to 
remain  inactive  when  these  whizzing  minies  come 
screaming  through  the  air  on  their  mission  of  death. 
From   such   places,   under  such   circumstances,   the 
Seventh   would   ever  wish    to  be    excused,    for    it 
grates    harshly    with    the    soldier,   and   is    exceed- 
ingly distressing  when  he  is  prevented  from  return- 
ing compliment  for    compliment,    as   the    Seventh 
will  testify  to-day.     But  we  do  not  remain  here  long, 
for  from  this  place  of  inactivity,  we  are  moved  to  a 
place  cf  action.     The  battle  is  raging  furiously.     The 
army  of  the  Ohio  and  the  army  of  the  Tennessee  are 
striking  hand  to  hand.     The  tables  are  turning;  step 
by  step  the  rebels  are  being  driven.     Position  after 
position   the  Seventh  is   now   taking.      The   sharp, 
positive  crack  of  their  musketry  makes  a  terrible  din 
along  their  line.     It  is  apparent  that  the  rebels  are 
retreating*     Another  day  is  waning ;  a  day  of  sacri- 
fice ;  a  day  in  which  has  been  held  a  high  carnival  of 
blood    on    Shiloh's    plain.      Many    patriot,    loyal 
soldiers   died   to-day,   and   as   they    died,  many   of 
them  were  seen  to  smile  as  they  saw  the  old  flag, 
the  pride  of  their  hearts,  riding  so  proudly  over  the 
bloody  field.     Many  shed  a  tear  of  joy  as  they  beheld 
the  beautiful  streams  of  light  falling  on  the  crimson 
wings  of  conquest. 

The  rebels  are  now  flying.  Nelson  is  making 
a  terrible  wreck  in  the  rear  of  the  retreating  army. 
Kind  reader,  stand  with  me  now  where  the  Seventh 


56  HISTORY    OF   THE 

stands ;  look  away  yonder !  Your  eye  never  beheld 
a  grander  sight.  It  is  the  northwest's  positive  tread. 
They  move  firmly;  there  is  harmony  in  their  steps. 
Ten  thousand  bayonets  flash  in  the  blazing  sunlight. 
They  are  moving  in  columns  on  the  bloody  plain. 
Their  tramp  sounds  like  a  death  knell.  The  band  is 
playing  "  Hail  to  the  chief."  Its  martial  anthems 
seem  to  float  as  it  were  on  golden  chords  through 
air,  and  as  they  fall  around  the  weary  soldier  their 
hopes  of  glory  beat  high.  They  are  retreating  now ; 
the  rear  of  the  rebel  army  is  fast  fading  from  Shiloh's 
field.  Before  the  northwest's  mighty  power  how 
they  dwindle  into  littleness,  as  turrets  and  spires 
beneath  the  stars.  They  are  far  away  now,  and  the 
great  battle  of  Shiloh  is  over  ;  the  fierce  wild  drama 
is  ended  ;  the  curtain  falls ;  the  sun  is  hid,  and  night 
has  come.  The  Seventh  goes  into  camp  on  the 
battle-field ;  their  camp  fires  are  soon  burning,  and 
those  noble  ones,  who  have  fought  so  well,  lie  down, 
worn  and  weary,  to  rest  themselves.  They  have 
passed  through  two  days  of  fearful  battle;  amid 
thunder,  smoke  and  perils  .they  bore  their  tattered 
flag,  and  when  the  storm-king  was  making  his 
most  wrathful  strides,  it  still  waved  in  the  wind 
and  never  went  down,  for  strong  arms  Xvere  there 
and  they  held  it  up.  But  how  painful  it  is  to  know 
that  some  comrades  who  were  with  us  in  the  morn- 
ing, are  not  with  us  now.  They  have  fallen  and 
died — died  in  the  early  morning  of  life.  And  why 
did  they  die?  A  royal  herald  will  answer,  for  a 
country,  for  a  home,  for  a  name.  Come  Avalk  with 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  5Y 

me  now  while  the  tired  soldiers  are  sleeping.  Who 
is  this  who  lays  here  beneath  this  oak,  in  such 
agony,  such  convulsive  throes  ?  It  is  a  soldier  in 
gray ;  a  wounded  rebel  who  fought  against  the  old 
flag  to-day.  But  he  is  dying ;  his  life  is  almost  gone ; 
he  is  dead  now.  Oh !  how  sad  it  makes  one  feel  to 
see  a  soldier  die,  and  how  we  pity  him  who  has  just 
died ;  pity  him  because  he  has  fallen  in  such  a  des- 
perate cause ;  pity  him  because  no  royal  herald  will 
ever  write  his  name  on  the  sacred  scroll  of  fame. 

Tuesday,  8th. — Oh !  what  a  terrible  scene  does 
Shiloh's  field  present  this  morning.  It  is  a  scene  of 
death  ;  its  victims  lay  everywhere.  The  blood  of 
about  thirteen  thousand  warriors  has  been  shed 
here  in  the  last  two  days.  My  God !  what  a  sacrifice, 
what  a  flow  of  blood.  But  liberty  has  claimed  it  for 
an  emancipated  mind,  and  may  it  water  well  the 
great  tree  of  universal  freedom,  and  cause  it  to 
extend  its  branches  fosteringly  over  a  struggling 
people.  In  these  two  days  of  battle  the  Seventh  sus- 
tained a  heavy  loss.  The  following  are  the  casualties: 

Major  R.  Rowett,  wounded. 

Company  A. — Captain  Samuel  G.  Ward,  killed  ; 
private  Alden  Bates,  killed. 

Company  B. — Captain  Hector  Perrin,  wounded  ; 
private  Charles  Newton,  killed ;  Michael  O'Keep, 
killed. 

Company  C. — Sergeant  George  Mitchell,  killed  ; 
Samuel  Wilson,  wounded. 

Company  D. — Private  Andrew  McKinnon,  killed. 

Company  E. — Private  Edmund  Keve,  wounded. 
3* 


58  HISTORY     OF   THE 

Company  F. — Killed ;  private  Isaac  Britton. 
Mortally  Wounded ;  privates  John  Jackson,  Chas.  P. 
Laing,  John  P.  Hale.  Wounded  ;  Wallace  Partridge, 
John  Dell,  James  Harrington,  Hugh  H.  Porter,  John 
Larkin,  James  Close. 

Company  G. — Private  John  Gibland,  killed  ;  Cap- 
tain Henry  W.  Allen,  wounded  ;  private  George 
Harris,  wounded. 

Company  H. — Lieutenant  Leo  "Wash.  Myres, 
killed  ;  private  John  H.  Duff,  killed  ;  private  Ernst 
H.  Myres,  wounded ;  private  Charles  Ward,  wounded; 
Sergeant  Laban  "Wheeler,  wounded ;  private  James 
"Walker,  wounded ;  private  Geo.  "W.  Fletcher,  woun- 
ded ;  private  Carol  Hurt,  wounded ;  private  Thomas 
Taylor,  wounded ;  private  Charlie  Halbert;  woun- 
ded ;  private  Elam  Mills,  wounded. 

Company  I. — Corporal  Seth  Hamilton,  killed  ;  pri- 
vate John  Bollyjack,  killed  ;  private  James  Craven, 
killed  ;  private  James  Lacy,  killed ;  Sergeant  Charles 
M.  Fellows,  wounded ;  private  James  Crowley, 
wounded ;  private  John  Johnson,  wounded ;  private 
George  Marsh,  wounded ;  private  Wm.  S.  Kogers  ; 
wounded  ;  private  Michael  Toner,  wounded  ;  private 
George  Vesey,  wounded ;  private  George  "W.  Byron, 
wounded ;  private  Marcus  McKinnis,  wounded ; 
private  Daniel  J.  Baker,  wounded. 

Company  K. — Private  John  Nixon,  killed ;  private 
Charles  P.  Huffman,  wounded  ;  private  Jacob  Howe, 
wounded  ;  Sergeant  J.  B.  Sanders,  wounded ;  Ser- 
geant Wm.  C.  Gillson,  wounded ;  private  John  M. 
Anderson,  wounded ;  private  Thos.  J .  E.  Grant, 
wounded  ;  private  Green  B.  Johnson,  wounded ;  pri- 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  59 

vate  George  Beiner,  wounded  ;  private  Joseph  White, 
wounded.  Total  killed,  14  ;  total  wounded,  43 ;  sum 
total  of  casualities,  57. 

Glorious  record  !  Proud  names  !  Yes,  proud  as 
any  that  will  ever  embellish  our  national  escutcheon. 
Departed  souls,  as  courageous  as  history  can  boast  of. 
From  Shiloh's  dark  wilderness,  no  nobler,  no  braver 
spirit  took  its  flight  into  the  skies  than  the  spirit  of 
Captain  Ward,  of  Company  A.  He  fell  mortally 
wounded  in  the  fiercest  of  the  battle  Sunday  evening, 
while  at  the  head  of  his  company,  cheering  his  men 
on  to  deeds  of  valor.  Some  of  his  company  stop  to 
carry  him  from  the  field  ;  but  while  glory  is  beaming 
in  the  dying  warrior's  eye,  he  says  to  his  gallant 
men:  "There  goes  the  flag ;  it  will  need  all  its  noble 
defenders  to  hold  it  up  in  the  terrible  battle  that  is 
raging  so  fiercely.  Boys,  it  is  trembling  now  !  Lay 
me  down  to  die ;  leave  me  and  follow  the  old 
Seventh's  silken  folds,  and  tell  the  boys  of  Company 
A,  that  ere  the  sun's  light  is  hid  from  this  field,  their 
Captain  will  be  no  more ;  that  I  will  be  silently 
sleeping  in  death.  Tell  them  to  remember  Captain 
Ward,  and  keep  the  old  flag  in  the  wind." 

Fainting  he  falls ;  his  features  lose  their  glow ; 
his  eyes  are  closed  forever  to  the  light.  Alone, 
he  died — died  in  his  glory.  Noble  sacrifices  may  be 
offered  in  this  war  for  the  Union,  but  no  nobler 
sacrifice,  no  grander  type  of  a  man;  of  a  soldier, 
will  ever  be  offered  than  has  been  offered  in  Captain 
Samuel  G.  Ward,  of  Company  A.  Captain  Ward 
was  among  the  first  to  hearken  to  the  first  call  of 
the  President  in  April,  1861.  From  a  private  in 


60  HISTORY    OF   THE 

Company  A,  he  was  promoted  by  Colonel  Cook  to 
Sergeant  Major  of  the  regiment.  At  the  end  of  the 
three  months'  service.  Sergeant  Major  "Ward  was 
unanimously  chosen  Captain  of  Company  A,  in 
which  position  he  served  faithfully  until  liberty 
claimed  him  as  a  sacrifice  on  Shiloh's  field,  April  6th, 
1862. "  Every  one  saw  in  him  the  elements  of  a 
rising  officer;  a  star  that  was  already  shining,  the 
light  of  which  would  have  been  seen  afar  had  not  the 
wild  tempest  blown  it  out  so  early.  Though  lie 
passed  away  in  youth's  hopeful  morning,  ere  his 
aspirations  were  reached,  immortality's  royal  mes- 
senger will  take  up  his  name,  and  while  soft  winds 
chant  a  requiem  around  his  grave,  will  say  of  him : 
"Here  sleeps  Captain  Ward,  whom  liberty  claimed 
in  its  great  struggle  on  Shiloh's  plain.  He  lived, 
he  died,  for  country,  home,  and  flag." 

Lieutenant  Leo  Washington  Myres,  of  Company 
H,  died  as  the  warriors  die — nobly.  He  stood  man- 
fully while  the  bolts  of  war  around  him  rattled,  but 
he  is  a  silent  sleeper  now.  Amid  shooting  flames 
and  curling  smoke,  he  bravely  sacrificed  his  life — 
sacrificed  it  as  one  of  the  martyrs  of  freedom.  Be- 
ing among  the  first  to  rush  to  the  standard  when 
arch  treason  first  lifted  its  mad  head,  he  was  elected 
Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  H,  and  at  the  end  of 
the  three  months'  service,  he  was  unanimously  chosen 
First  Lieutenant,  in  which  capacity  he  valiantly 
served  until  his  life  was  sealed  at  Shiloh,  April  6th, 
1862. 

In  the  wild  storm  that   swept  over  that  field,  no 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  61 

truer  patriot  soldier  was  borne  clown  than  Lieutenant 
Myres.  As  a  lover  of  liberty  he  followed  the  flag 
southward  and  stood  beneath  its  folds  where  the  gulf 
winds  blew  across  the  plains  of  Mexico.  With  Tay- 
lor and  Scott,  he  fought  for  it  there.  With  Wallace 
he  died  for  it  down  by  the  Tennesssee.  Oh  !  how  can 
it  be  that  stars  that  gave  such  brilliant  light  should  go 
out  so  soon.  The  providences  of  God  are  indeed 
mysterious. 

But  all  died  in  their  glory.  Sergeant  Mitchell, 
company  C,  Corporal  Seth  Hamilton,  company  I, 
privates  Alden  Bates,  company  A,  John  H.  Duff, 
company  H,  Charles  Newton,  Company  B,  Andrew 
McKennon,  company  D,  Isaac  Britton,  company  F, 
John  Gibland,  company  G,  Corporal  J.  Nixon,  com- 
pany K,  and  many  others,  died  crowned  with  laurels 
as  bright  as  the  midnight  stars.  Though  they  carried 
the  musket,  we  will  ascribe  no  less  praise  to  them,  for 
heroes  they  proved  themselves  to  be.  From  Ther- 
mopylae to  Shiloh,  the  world  has  never  produced 
grander  types  of  gallantry  than  has  been  produced 
in  these  private  soldiers,  who  fell  on  this  battle-field. 
Of  all  the  fallen  of  the  Seventh  who  went  down  in 
Shiloh's  two  days  of  battle,  I  can  only  say  of  them 
as  Mark  Anthony  said  of  Julias  Caesar,  "  Their  lives 
were  grand  ;  the  elements  so  mixed  in  them  that  all 
the  world  might  stand  up  and  say,  they  were  men  ; 
they  were  heroes ;  they  were  soldiers." 

While  on  the  battle-field,  Sergeant  S.  F.  Flint, 
Company  I,  writes : 


62  HISTORY   OF   THE 

Soft  fall  the  dews  of  midnight  and  morning, 
O'er  the  green  hills  where  slumber  the  brave, 
Fall  on  each  nameless  and  desolate  grave  ; 
And  soft  be  the  song  of  the  slow  flowing  river, 
As  it  pours  by  the  shores  they  have  hallowed  forever. 

In  peace  and  off  duty  the  soldier  is  sleeping, 
No  more  will  he  wake  at  the  shrill  reveille, 
As  it  rings  through  the  vales  of  the  old  Tennessee  ; 
But  the  wail  of  the  wind,  and  the  roll  of  the  river, 
As  it  thrills  o'er  the  hills  his  requiem  forever. 

Oh  !  the  homes  in  their  own  northern  prairies  and  valleys, 
More  lonely  and  dark  than  those  desolate  graves, 
0  !  the  wailings  that  answer  the  winds  and  the  waves  ; 
0  !  the  tears  that  will  flow  like  the  fall  of  the  river, 
As  it  swells  through  the  dells  where  they  slumber  forever. 

But  lift  up  the  old  flag  they  died  in  defending, 
And  swear  by  each  nameless  but  glorious  grave, 
That  hallowed  with  triumph  its  free  folds  shall  wave 
O'er  the  hills  and  the  vales  and  the  bright  flowing  river, 
O'er  the  whole  lovely  land  of  our  fathers  forever. 

We  will  now  pass  to  yonder  hospital  steamer. 
The  Seventh's  wounded  lay  here ;  among  the  noble 
company  lies  the  gallant  Captain  Hector  Pen-in, 
wounded  badly  in  the  thigh.  Though  a  son  of 
France,  he  loved  freedom,  and  being  one  from  the 
school  of  La  Fayette,  he  fought  bravely  on  Shiloh's 
field.  Among  this  company  we  find  heroes,  all 
of  whom  have  shown  and  yet  show  that  they  have 
in  them  the  element  of  steel.  Patiently  and  silently 
they  endure  their  suffering.  Who  ever  witnessed 
such  fortitude?  The  world  will  fail  in  its  annals 
of  blood  to  exhibit  grander  types.  Some  have  lost 
a  leg,  others  have  frightful  wounds  in  the  face  ;  but 
these  are  their  patents  of  nobility.  Dr.  Hamilton, 
our  popular  Assistant  Surgeon,  as  ever,  has  a 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  63 

care  for  the  unfortunate  ones.  He  is  now,  with 
his  usual  promptness,  preparing  to  send  them  north. 
Some  of  them  will  never  return  again ;  but  may  a 
grateful  people  open  wide  to  them  their  generous 
hearts,  and  leave  them  not  to  drift  through  the 
world  in  storm.  Returning  we  mingle  with  the 
living.  Of  the  noble  survivors  we  can  only  say  of 
them,  they  did  well ;  they  played  their  part  as  nobly 
as  the  most  gallant  warriors  have  ever  done  on  any 
battle-field.  In  these  two  days  of  battle  Major  Row- 
ett,  who  is  now  in  his  tent  slightly  wounded,  but  pros- 
trated upon  his  cot,  worn  out  by  excessive  toil,  proved 
himself  worthy  the  leadership  of  brave  men.  Where 
danger  most  threatened,  there  he  was  always  found. 
None  moved  amid  the  carnage  with  a  more  dashing 
force.  Full  of  fire  and  life,  with  a  reckless  contempt 
for  danger,  he  stemmed  the  wild  storm.  He  was 
wounded  twice  and  had  his  horse  shot  but  noth- 
ing could  check  him.  At  the  head  of  his  regiment 
he  was  always  found,  and  it  is  conceded  by  those 
who  knew,  that  no  regimental  commander  handled 
his  command  on  Shiloh's  field  better  than  Major 
Rowett  handled  the  Seventh.  At  no  time  was  the 
regiment  driven  into  confusion,  though  many  times 
its  line  was  broken,  but  each  time  was  reformed 
promptly,  and  be  it  said  to  the  credit  of  the  regiment, 
not  a  prisoner  was  taken  in  consequence  of  strag- 
gling. Captain  Monroe,  acting  Major,  has  won  the 
encomiums  of  all.  Fight  and  battle  seem  to  be  his 
element.  He  carries  with  him  triumph  and  glory. 
Enthusiastic  as  are  all  the  brave,  his  voice  was  ever 


64  HISTORY   OF   THE 

heard  cheering  the  men  and  telling  them  never  to  let 
the  flag  go  down.  Captains  Lawyer,  Hunter,  Esta- 
brook,  Church,  Lieutenants  Ring,  Smith,  Roberts, 
Ellis,  Sullivan,  Sweeny  and  Ahern  were  ever  fore- 
most in  the  battle  and  ever  found  encouraging  their 
men,  bidding  them  to  stand  firm  for  the  flag  and  free- 
dom. The  color  bearer,  Sergeant  Coles  Barney,  of 
company  H,  won  for  himself  the  admiration  of  his 
officers  and  comrades,  for  the  gallant  manner  in 
which  he  bore  his  banner  through  the  wild  tempest. 

But  all  were  brave,  and  all  fought  valiantly.  They 
marched  in  blood,  and  threw  themselves  against  arch 
treason  until  the  Union's  proud  banner  waved  upon  a 
triumphant  field.  At  times  it  was  fearfully  dark, 
and  the  flag  seemed  to  droop,  but  our  noble  men 
stood  around  it,  aud  while  blood  was  ebbing,  they 
formed  a  defense  of  steel  backed  by  he  arts  that  never 
faltered.  And  thus  defended,  their  flag,  kthe  pride 
of  the  mighty  millions,  shed  glorious  light  around 
the  noble  men  of  the  Seventh. 

Large  parties  are  now  at  work  burying  the  dead  of 
both  armies.  Shiloh  will  be  one  vast  grave-yard, 
but  it  will  be  destitute  of  marble  slabs.  Hundreds 
of  Union  soldiers  will  sleep  here,  and  in  the  years  to 
come,  the  patriot  pilgrims  will  tread  the  earth  above 
them,  and  know  not  that  beneath  sleeps  Shiloh's 
martyrs.  But  should  they  chance  to  see  some  graves 
that  are  arched,  so  that  they  can  be  recognized  as  the 
graves  of  the  lone  soldiers,  they  will  not  know 
whether  the  sleepers  fought  for  or  against  the  old  flag, 
and  the  friends  of  the  loved  and  lost  will  not  know 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  65 

upon  which  graves  to  throw  their  flowers  or  drop 
their  tears. 

April  9th. — There  is  a  continual  rain  now  falling. 
It  seems  that  the  battle  storms  of  Shiloh  have 
opened  the  windows  of  heavens.  Our  camp  is  in  a 
wretched  condition.  From  the  9th  to  the  29th  of 
April,  scarcely  any  sunshine  is  seen.  During  this 
time  the  odor  from  the  battle-field  is  sickening, 
and  the  sick  list  is  increasing  every  day.  On  the 
16th  we  find  the  gallant  Lieutenant  Ring  in  the  hos- 
pital. Being  exposed  so  much  during  the  battle, 
and  ever  since  the  battle,  his  physical  powers  have 
been  giving  way,  notwithstanding  his  firm,  deter- 
mined will.  "We  are  all  anxious  for  the  recovery  of 
his  health,  for  the  late  battle  tells  us  that  company  H 
cannot  well  spare  him  who  led  them  so  faithfully 
through  Shiloh's  dark  days,  after  Captain  Holden 
took  sick  and  left  the  field. 

We  have  marching  orders  now.  We  have  passed 
through  stormy  days  while  here.  The  world  shall 
never  know  their  story.  The  pen  will  be  moved 
to  tell  it,  but  it  will  never  be  told.  "We  shall 
now  enter  upon  another  campaign.  May  the  God  of 
battles  be  with  us,  and  nerve  strong  arms  to  hold  the 
flag  up  until  the  song  of  victory  and  peace  shall  be 
sung  by  liberty's  happy  people !  Major  Rowett  has 
been  sent  to  a  northern  hospital.  We  regret  it  very 
much,  for  we  shall  miss  him  as  we  move  southward. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Leaving  Shiloh — The  roads — Joining  Sherman  at  Monterey — The 
siege  of  Gorinth — The  evacuation — Joining  Pope — The  inarch 
into  Mississippi — The  warm  weather — The  scarcity  of  water — 
The  return  to  Corinth — Camp  near  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Rail- 
road— The  Sixth  Division  Camp — Camp  on  Purdy  road — Camp 
in  Jack-oak  Thicket — Battle  of  luka — The  Iowa  boys  our 
brothers — Ordered  to  our  old  camp  near  Mobile  and  Ohio  Rail- 
road— The  Second  Division  concentrating — Rumors  of  Price's 
advance  upon  Corinth. 

Tuesday,  April  29th,  1862. — This  morning  we  com- 
mence early  to  make  preparations  to  move  from  our 
camp  at  Shiloh.  9  o'clock. — We  are  in  line,  waiting 
for  the  command  "forward"  to  be  given.  Colonel 
Babcock  haying  returned  from  the  hospital,  is  now  in 
command  of  the  regiment,  and  we  all  feel  that  he 
will,  as  in  days  past,  lead  the  regiment  forth  to  vic- 
tory. But  we  all  regret  that  the  gallant  Rowett  and 
King  are  not  with  us  to  aid  in  the  coming  campaign. 
At  ten  o'clock  the  Third  Brigade,  consisting  ot  the 
Seventh,  Fiftieth  and  Fifty-seventh  Illinois,  and 
Twenty-second  Ohio,  commanded  by  Colonel  Bald- 
win, of  the  Fifty-seventh  Illinois,  move  forward  from 
Pittsburg  Landing,  marching  in  the  direction  of 
Corinth,  Mississippi.  'Owing  to  the  condition  of 
the  roads,  and  the  jamming  together  of  the  artil- 
lery and  the  army  trains,  we  only  succeed  in  get- 
ting about  five  miles  from  the  landing,  when  we 
go  into  camp  for  the  night. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  67 

April  30th. — This  morning  the  whole  army  is  in 
motion,  except  the  part  sticking  in  the  mud.  The 
Third  Brigade  only  goes  three  miles,  when  they  halt 
and  go  into  camp  for  the  remainder  of  the  day  and 
night.  We  have  a  'good  camping  ground,  which, 
with  the  refreshing  and  healthy  atmosphere  blowing 
around  us,  makes  all  seem  cheerful.  All  seem  glad 
that  they  are  away  from  Shiloh's  sickening  field* 

May  1st. — This  morning  we  again  take  up  the  line 
of  march.  The  army  is  moving  slowly  on,  and  will 
continue  to  move  on  until  the  old  flag  makes  another 
victorious  stand  for  the  Union  and  freedom.  To- 
wards evening  we  increase  our  speed.  Some  one 
says  we  have  been  ordered  to  join  Sherman  to-night. 
It  proves  true';  we  hasten  on  and  go  into  camp  late 
in  the  evening,  at  Monterey,  joining  General  Sher- 
man's command,  which  has  come  to  a  stand. 

May  2d. — This  morning  we  remain  at  Monterey, 
waiting  for  orders.  We  remain  here  all  day  and  it 
seems  that  the  army  has  come  to  a  halt.  This  even- 
ing the  Seventh  is  detailed  for  picket.  The  night  is 
clear  and  the  moon  shines  brightly,  and  the  boys 
watch  closely  for  any  foe  that  may  be  lurking  near, 
for  we  are  in  the  enemy's  country,  and  it  is  surmised 
that  there  is  something  threatening  ahead.  The  sol- 
dier on  picket — who  can  tell  his  thoughts  at  the  mid- 
night hour,  when  a  mighty  army  is  sleeping  and  de- 
pending upon  his  vigilance  ? 

May  3d. — This  morning  we  are  still  in  camp  at 
Monterey;  it  is  said  we  are  waiting  for  the  siege 
guns.  Our  brigade  is  now  in  the  advance,  standing 


68  HISTORY   OF   THE 

as  picket-guard  for  the  army.  To-day  we  move 
a  short  distance  from  Monterey,  and  go  into  camp  in 
the  woods. 

May  4th. — "We  are  now  before  Corinth,  the  base  of 
the  rebel  army  under  Beauregard.  Pope's  guns  have 
been  thundering  nearly  all  day  on  the  left  towards 
Farmington.  He  takes  Portland,  on  the  Tennessee 
river,  and  five  hundred  prisoners.  With  our  part  ot 
the  army  everything  seems  quiet  this  evening. 

May  5th. — The  artillery  is  coming  up  all  day. 
Halleck  is  moving  slowly  with  his  grand  army. 
Would  that  Grant  would  be  permitted  to  swing  it; 
there  would  soon  be  a  commotion  among  thesB  tall 
pines.  The  whining  and  whelping  would-be  military 
masters  and  generals,  whose  wisdom  is  distilled  out 
at  wholesale  in  the  bar-rooms  of  Northern  hotels, 
have  clamored  against  Grant,  and  since  the  dark  days 
of  Shiloh  the  army  of  the  Tennessee,  who  bravely 
stood  with  him  there,  has  been  grieved  to  know  that 
the  government  listened  to  those  base,  unmitigated 
lies  told  about  him  in  reference  to  his  conduct  at 
Shiloh.  We  see  that  this  contemptible  and  cow- 
ardly bar-room  gentry  charge  our  General  with  being 
drunk  on  Sunday  at  Shiloh.  Tell  it  to  the  world,  but 
tell  it  not  to  the  army  of  the  Tennessee.  If  a  Gen- 
eral, drunk,  can  form,  amid  such  confusion,  a  line 
so  compact,  so  powerful,  so  military  as  was  Grant's 
last  line  on  Sunday  evening,  would  to  God  that 
more  Generals  were  made  drunk  that  we  might 
crush  out  this  fratricidal  war  and  hasten  the  return 
of  peace  to  a  stricken  and  throbbing  people. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  69 

"But  mark  my  word,  boys^"  old  U.  S.  will  yet 
ride  over  these  men's  wicked  opposition,  and 
ere  this  war  is  over,  this  man  wearing  the  old 
slouch  hat,  commanding  the  army  before  Corinth, 
will  receive  orders  from  General  Grant;  for  with 
Grant  at  the  head  of  this  grand  army,  he  would 
stamp  armies  into  the  earth,  and  plant  the  old  flag 
where  the  gulf  winds  blow. 

Tuesday,  6th. — The  latest  northern  papers,  with 
flaming  bulletins,  are  circulated  in  the  army  to-day. 
"All  quiet  on  the  Potomac — McClellan  and  Halleck 
before  Yorktown  and  Corinth  with  mighty  armies." 
The  world  seems  to  be  standing  still,  watching  and 
waiting  to  see  the  triumph  of  freedom  and  self-gov- 
ernment against  the  combined  fronts  of  hell-origi- 
nated treason.  "Would  that  these  great  leaders  would 
move  forward  and  let  the  old  flag  go  flying  on  and 
give  the  reins  to  these  impatient  armies.  But  it  is 
perhaps  well  that  they  are  held  in  check. 

"Wednesday,  7th. — To-day  Governor  Yates  visits 
the  Seventh  and  makes  them  a  speech,  which  is  full 
of  cheer,  full  of  hope  and  life,  right  straight  from 
Dick's  big  heart.  He  has  come  down  to  Tennessee 
to  look  after  the  sick  and  wounded  Illinois  soldiers. 
How  fortunate  it  is  for  Illinois  to  have  so  good  and 
noble  a  governor,  during  this  bloody  war.  This 
afternoon  our  division  has  been  reviewed;  an  impos- 
ing scene ;  such  a  uniformity  of  motion  and  so  much 
vim  convince  the  lookers  on  that  the  Second  Division 
cannot  be  surpassed  in  the  army. 

Thursday,  8th. — To-day  our  regiment  moves  to  the 


70  HISTORY    OF   THE 

* 

front  line ;  our  pickets  and  those  of  the  enemy  are 
now  close  to  each  other.  All  quiet  to-daj.  Pope  is 
still. 

Friday,  9th.- — To-day  we  hear  heavy  cannonading 
towards  Farmington.  It  is  Pope  talking.  We  are 
now  close  to  the  enemy  and  occasionally  they  lire  into 
our  pickets.  Our  sharp-shooters  are  now  at  work ; 
there  is  a  din  in  the  woods  and  a  brisk  skirmish  is 
going  on,  but  nothing  serious,  however,  develops 
itself. 

Saturday,  10th. — It  is  raining  this  morning.  It  is 
rumored  that  the  rebels  will  come  out  from  Corinth 
to-day.  The  echoes  from  Pope's  guns  are  again 
heard  coining  from  the  left.  Before  noon  we  com- 
mence throwing  up  breastworks,  and  before  night  we 
have  a  strong,  defensive  line.  It  is  remarkable  how 
men  will  work  to  shield  themselves  from  minies  and 
shells.  The  most  indolent  all  at  once  become  active 
and  go  to  work  with  a  rush. 

Sunday,  llth. — A  beautiful  Sabbath  morning;  there 
is  quiet  along  the  line.  The  army  is  anxious  to 
close  in  upon  Corinth.  It  is  reported  that  the  rebel 
army  is  evacuating;  how  true,  we  cannot  tell.  Pope 
still  continues  skirmishing ;  there  is  a  continual  rum- 
ble and  roar  along  his  line  this  evening. 

Monday,  12th. — Pope  still  keeps  thundering  against 
the  rebel  defenses.  Heavy  details  are  made  from  the 
different  companies  to-day  to  help  build  roads 
through  the  swamps. 

Tuesday,  13th. — Skirmishing  still  going  on.  In 
the  evening  we  move  our  camp  two  miles  forward, 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  71 

crossing  the  Mississippi  line.  "We  move  with  one 
hundred  cartridges,  packed  away  in  knapsacks — a 
mule  load.  The  weather  is  extremely  warm.  "We 
again  throw  up  a  line  of  works — bomb  proof. 

Wednesday,  14th. — At  our  new  camping  ground 
we  find  water  very  scarce,  and  of  a  very  inferior 
quality.  To-day  we  have  battalion  drill ;  the  regi- 
ment receives  high  compliments  from  the  West  Point 
stars  who  were  present.  The  drill  of  the  Seventh  is 
attracting  universal  attention,  and  our  commanding 
officer  is  vain  enough  to  challenge  any  regiment  in 
these  woods  to  compete  with  him  in  the  manual  and 
battalion  evolutions.  Late  in  the  evening  we  hear 
heavy  cannonading  on  our  right.  It  is  Hurlbut 
shelling  a  swamp,  to  clear  it  of  lurking  rebels.  To- 
night we  are  ordered  to  sleep  on  our  arms. 

Thursday,  15th. — To-day  it  is  very  warm  and  sul- 
try. This  evening  we  again  have  division  drill,  and 
as  usual,  the  Seventh  is  the  star.  So  says  Davies 
of  West  Point  education.  Brisk  skirmishing  is 
going  on  this  evening  between  the  rebel  pickets  and 
our  bridge  builders. 

Friday,  16th. — This  morning  the  Seventh  boys 
obtain  some  northern  papers,  which  they  relish  very 
much.  In  the  afternoon  we  again  have  division  drill. 
We  shall  never  forget  these  exercises  on  the  cotton 
fields  of  Mississippi.  This  evening  the  Seventh 
boys  conclude  to  have  some  fresh  beef,  hence  they 
capture  and  kill  a  steer,  a  genuine  work  ox,  used 
in  drawing  siege  guns  from  Pittsburg  Landing, 


72  HISTORY    OF   THE 

but  he  is  none  the  worse  by  that.     The  boys  feast 
sumptuously  to-night. 

Saturday,  17th. — Water  is  becoming  very  scarce. 
The  regiment  is  compelled  to  keep  guard  over  their 
wells.  Our  lines  are  advanced  one-half  mile  this 
evening. 

Sunday,  18th. — This  morning  we  form  our  line 
and  commence  throwing  up  breastworks.  The  men 
work  with  a  gusto,  and  before  night  the  Seventh  has 
a  strong  line  thrown  up,  covering  its  front.  It  is 
remarkable  to  see.  how,  like  magic,  these  lines  go  up. 
In  a  few  hours  we  have  a  line  fifteen  miles  long, 
strong  enough  (with  the  army  of  the  Tennessee 
behine  it,)  to  check  the  most  powerful  army  in 
the  world.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Rowett  having  re- 
covered from  the  injuries  received  at  Shiloh,  has 
returned  to  the  regiment.  All  seem  glad  to  see  him 
with  us  again. 

Monday,  19th. — All  day  we  are  drawn  up  in  line 
of  battle  behind  our  works ;  the  pickets  continue 
skirmishing.  In  the  afternoon  the  Seventh  receives 
a  mail,  and  while  standing  in  battle  line  they  read 
the  little  messages  from  home  and  friends ;  we  con- 
clude that  these  little  "  billets  "  cheer  the  soldiers, 
for  ofttimes  while  reading  them  we  see  smiles  playing 
upon  their  faces. 

Tuesday,  20th, — Last  night  God  smiled  upon  the 
army  by  opening  the  windows  of  heaven  and  causing 
the  rain  to  fall.  Nature  is  refreshed ;  water  is  more 
plenty,  and  the  soldiers  look  more  cheerful.  The 
random  crack  of  the  muskets  along  the  picket  line  is 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  73 

still  heard.  This  evening  Company  H  receives 
orders  to  reinforce  the  pickets  now  briskly  engaged 
in  skirmishing. 

Wednesday,  21st. — This  morning  we  are  ordered 
into  battle  line ;  we  thus  advance  about  one  mile, 
driving  the  rebel  pickets  before  us,  taking  possession 
of  a  ridge  which  has  been  for  the  last  few  days 
contested  by  the  pickets.  On  the  brow  of  this 
ridge  we  plant  our  batteries  in  regular  battle  lyie. 
Soon  they  open,  hurling  grape  and  canister,  shot  and 
shell  into  the  low  woodland  in  front.  The  storm  that 
rolled  from  these  iron  monsters  was  terrific.  Simul- 
taneous with  the  first  direful  echo,  the  hideous  shot 
and  shell  leaped  from  the  whole  line,  all  the  way  from 
Sherman  to  Pope,  and  with  a  deadly  power,  plowing 
their  hellish  paths  through  the  woods,  making  the 
earth  tremble.  The  rebels  went  back. 

Thursday,  23d. — All  day  we  lay  behind  our 
entrenchments ;  our  works  of  defense  seem  impreg- 
nable. It  is  now  quiet  'along  our  picket  line.  The 
rebels  are  drawing  in  their  advance. 

Friday,  23d. — To-day  our  regiment  is  detailed  to 
advance  with  the  picket  line  and  protect  a  fatigue 
party  while  building  roads  and  bridges  for  the 
advance  of  our  division.  We  have  a  brisk  skirmish 
with  the  heavy  rebel  pickets. 

This  evening  the  Paymaster  visits  the  Seventh, 
and  before  it  is  midnight  the  Seventh  is  flush  with 
the  "bonus." 

Saturday,  24th.— This  morning  the  boys  are  busily 
engaged  depositing  their  money  for  expressage  home, 


74:  HISTORY   OF  THE 

not  wishing  to  be  encumbered  with  any  extra  cash, 
especially  when  a  battle  seems  threatening.  This 
evening  we  are  ordered  to  fall  in  on  the  color  line, 
which  is  repeated  several  times  through  the  night  by 
false  alarms  from  the  pickets  on  St.  Philips'  Creek. 

Sunday,  25th. — This  morning  everything  seems 
quiet.  It  is  God's  holy  day,  and  the  army  is  resting. 
We  anticipate  no  attack  to-day,  for  the  attack  on 
Sunday  at  Shiloh  taught  the  enemy  a  lesson. 

Monday,  26th. — Nothing  unusual  occurred  to-day. 
In  the  evening  we  hear  a  noise — three  rousing  cheers 
go  up  from  Company  H's  quarters  for  something  or 
somebody.  For  what,  or  for  who  can  it  be  ?  Strange 
to  say  none  seem  to  know  ;  but  walking  that  way  we 
discover  that  Lieutenant  King  has  returned  from  his 
sick  leave  of  absence,  received  at  Shiloh,  and  is  now 
among  his  men.  These  cheers  speak  for  themselves; 
we  will  make  no  comments. 

Tuesday,  27th. — This  morning  we  can  hear  the 
beating  of  drums  in  the  rebel  camp.  There  is  not  a 
wide  space  between  the  two  hostile  armies.  The 
Seventh  rests  quietly  behind  their  works  to-day. 

Wednesday,  28th. — The  weather  is  still  very 
warm.  To-day  we  hear  heavy  cannonading  in  the 
direction  of  Sherman's  line.  This  evening  we 
advance  towards  the  rebel  works  ;  our  batteries  gain- 
ing a  position,  they  throw  some  shells  into  their 
midst.  "We  hold  our  position,  and  soon  commence 
throwing  up  breastworks ;  the  army  keeps  working 
on  them  nearly  all  night ;  the  Seventh  finish  their 
space  by  two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  We  now  have 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS   INFANTJJT.  75 

another  strong  line  of  defense.  If  Beauregared 
stands,  we  anticipate  a  general  engagement  soon. 
All  day  we  hear  heavy  cannonading  along  Pope's 
line.  Would  that  that  restless  spirit  whose  dogs  of 
war  are  continually  barking  could  be  let  loose  at  this 
very  hour ;  we  know  he  would  go  sweeping  like  an 
avalanche  against  the  fortified  walls  of  Corinth. 
But  it  is  not  deemed  best,  and  for  what  reasons  his- 
tory will  show ;  and  if  it  be  a  mistake,  the  world  will 
see  it,  and  he  who  is  responsible  will  receive  the 
censure.  To-night  the  Seventh  is  restless ;  the  men 
are  anxious  to  leap  those  works  and  carry  the  old 
flag  on.  Their  hearts  long  to  see  it  flying  over  yon- 
der, but  they  are  held  in  check.  Somebody  is  cau- 
tious ;  perhaps  somebody  is  fearful  that  his  name, 
like  the  name  of  another,  will  be  handled  harshly  in 
the  northern  hotels ;  perhaps  fearful  that  somebody 
would  say  he  was  drunk. 

Friday,  30th. — This  morning  we  hear  heavy  explo- 
sions, supposed  to  be  the  enemy  blowing  up  their 
magazines  and  ordnance  stores,  making  preparations 
to  evacuate.  How  true !  There  is  confusion  now  in 
Halleck's  grand  army;  they  seem  to  surge  like  a 
lashed  ocean  when  they  are  told  that  the  rebels  have 
evacuated  Corinth ;  that  the  Union  cavalry  now 
occupy  the  place.  We  wonder  if  the  sycophant  will 
say  of  Halleck  he  is  the  Union's  greatest  general  and 
liberty's  most  fearless  champion,  and  allege  as 
evidence  that  he  was  sober  and  stained  not  the  earth 
with  needless  blood.  We  are  soon  moving  from  the 
right  towards  the  left  to  join  Pope;  we  come  up  with 


Y6  HISTORY    OF   THE 

him  at  Farmington,  where  we  are  ordered  to  go  into 
camp  for  the  night. 

Saturday,  31st. — This  morning  we  move  from 
Farmington.  In  the  afternoon  we  come  to  a  halt 
near  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad,  and  go  into 
camp.  It  seems  that  the  enemy  has  left  in  great 
confusion.  The  amount  of  property  destroyed  is 
immense.  In  Yan  Dorn's  camp,  we  find  some  rebel 
papers;  Irom  one  we  extract  the  following  letter, 
written  by  one  of  the  chivalry's  fair  beauties,  which, 
though  a  little  di verging  from  our  subject,  may  per- 
haps prove  interesting  to  the  reader. 

YANKEEVILLE,  April  22d,  1862. 
MY  DEAR  SISTER  :  As  it  may  be  a  very  long  time 
before  we  again  have  an  opportunity  of  writing  to 
you,  Ma  has  made  us  all  promise  to  write  you  a  long 
letter  ;  so  if  a  corpulent  budget  comes  to  hand  (pro- 
vided it  is  not  kidnapped),  you  need  not  be  sur- 
prised. You  see  by  the  dating  of  my  letter  that 
we  have  moved  family,  house  servants  and  all 
into  Yankeeville.  We  are  only  about  one  hun- 
dred miles  farther  from  you  than  when  we  lived 
at  Huntsville.  The  portion  of  the  United  States 
that  we  live  in  is  decidedly  one  of  the  most  out- 
of-the-way  places  I  have  ever  seen.  Although 
the  cars  seem  to  run  regularly,  there  is  never  a 
breath  of  news  to  gladden  our  hearts.  I  declare  I 
have  not  seen  a  newspaper  for  two  weeks,  and 
expect  if  I  were  to  see  one  now,  I  should  regard  it 
as  a  supernatural  appearance,  and  be  frightened  to 

death.     The  Rev.  Mr. is  here,  and  preached 

for  us,  and  was  not  so  partial  to  the  President  of  the 
C.  S.  A.,  but  what  he  could  leave  him  out  of  his 
prayer  when  he  saw  it  was  necessary.  He  prayed 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY. 


77 


the  Lord  to  look  down  upon  us  in  mercy  as  we  then 
stood  before  Him,  political  enemies.  The  church 
was  half  filled  with  officers,  brass  buttons  and  black 
feathers,  strange  to  say,  looking  as  calm  and  col- 
lected after  their  exploits  as  a  pan  of  butter-milk.  I 
wish  you  could  see  them  as  they  pass  the  gate;  some- 
times on  horseback,  forty  or  fifty  of  them  together, 
with  their  long,  murderous  swords  encased  in  brass, 
and  dangling  with  terrific  clamor  against  the  horses' 
.sides,  which  produces  an  effect  so  frightening  that 
our  faces  are  fear  blanched  with  terror,  and  we 
instinctively  pull  our  sun-bonnets  over  our  faces  and 
stop  our  ears  with  our  fingers,  that  we  may  shut  out 
as  much  as  possible  the  humiliating  noise.  Do  you 
not  shudder  when  you  think  that  we  are  in  the  hands 
of  these  ruffians.  We  expect  every  night  that  the 
town  will  be  either  shelled  or  burnt,  and  when  I 
wake  up  in  the  morning  I  am  surprised  to  find  myself 
safe,  and  that  the  shells  have  not  yet  been  hurled 
this  way ;  then  I  say  to  myself  in  the  most  thankful 
and  cheery  way,  "  Good  morning,  dear,  I'm  glad  to 
see  you're  all  here."  I  miss  dear  little  Huntsville 
so  much,  and  often  think  of  the  times  we  used  to  have 
swinging  together  on  the  porch  every  night.  Here 
the  streets  are  so  guarded  that  one  dare  not  go  beyond 
the  dwelling  houses,  and  as  to  singing  in  concert,  the 
town  is  too  full  of  Yankeedoodles  ever  to  attempt  it. 
Oh  !  how  I  long  to  see  our  dear  soldiers  again. 
Although  I  have  no  near  kindred  in  the  army,  each 
one  of  them  is  as  dear  to  me  as  a  brother.  All  our 
girls  are  proud  and  brave,  and  never  lose  faith.  They 
give  no  quarters  to  the  Yankees,  and  as  one  of  them 
remarked,  "  He  hadn't  seen  a  woman  smile  since  he 
had  been  here."  But  how  can  we  smile  and  be  gay 
in  their  presence,  when  our  hearts  .are  with  Charley, 
over  the  water.  If  you  see  any  of  my  soldier  friends 
up  your  way,  please  tell  them  to  come  and  escort  us 


78  HISTORY    OF    THE 

back.  We  cannot  return  without  protection.  There 
is  a  large  party  of  girls  here  who  come  with  me,  and 
who  will  join  us.  Our  political  canoe  has  run 
aground,  and  the  no-secession  waves  run  so  high  that 
it  is  dangerous  for  a  party  of  females  to  brave  them 
without  some  trusty  arm  to  guard  the  vessel's  bow. 
I  wish  I  could  see  you  all.  We  ought  not  to  be  sepa- 
rated. Kiss  my  brother  and  take  good  care  of  him, 
for  men  are  so  precious  these  war  times. 

Your  loving  sister  E . 

June,  1st. — This  morning  we  remain  in  camp  await- 
ing orders  to  move,  but  we  receive  them  not ;  remain 
here  all  day.  We  are  now  camped  near  the  rebel 
commissary;  it  is  one  vast  heap  of  ruins;  sugar  and 
flour  scattered  all  over  the  ground,  molasses  running 
in  streams  down  the  railroad.  Everywhere  the  fields 
are  strewn  with  tents,  cooking  utensils,  army  wagons, 
old  trunks,  rebel  uniforms,  flint  lock  muskets,  &c., 
&c.  It  is  indeed  an  apt  illustration  of  the  assumed 
confederacy.  The  news  from  Pope's  advance  is 
cheering  this  evening. 

Monday,  2d. — Our  regiment  is  still  encamped  near 
the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad.  It  rains  considerably 
to-day,  which  makes  everything  look  cheerful.  This 
evening  we  receive  orders  to  hold  ourselves  in  readi- 
ness to  move. 

Tuesday,  3d. — For  some  cause  unknown  to  the 
soldiers,  we  do  not  move  to-day.  Good  accounts 
from  Pope  continue  to  come  back. 

Wednesday,  4th. — This  morning  we  finally  move 
from  our  camp  near  the  railroad,  and  march  south- 
ward. Our  destination  is  said  to  be  Boonville.  It 
seems  that  ^the  entire  army  is  in  motion.  The  roads 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  79 

are  soon  blockaded  with  the  artillery  and  army 
trains,  and  in  consequence  our  regiment  is  delayed. 
We  pass  Danville  about  dark.  Marching  on,  we  go 
into  camp  about  nine  o'clock  P.  M.  The  boys  are 
very  tired  to-night. 

Thursday,  5th. — This  morning  we  lay  in  the  shade 
until  two  o'clock  p.  M.,  when  we  move  about  two 
miles.  The  heat  is  intense;  the  boys  seek  every 
opportunity  to  shield  themselves  from  the  sun's 
scorching  rays.  We  proceed  no  farther  to-day. 

Friday,  6th. — This  morning  we  remain  in  the 
shade,  having  no  orders  to  move.  Some  of  the  boys 
sally  forth  into  the  plantations,  and  it  is  not  long 
until  they  return  with  a  large  supply  of  chickens, 
turkeys,  butter  and  eggs. 

This  afternoon  we  move  forward  twelve  miles ; 
march  in  quick  time.  One  by  one  the  boys  drop  by 
the  way,  being  unable  to  keep  up  with  the  command 
on  account  of  the  excessive  heat. 

Saturday,  7th. — This  morning  we  do  not  move. 
The  regiment  is  soon  busy  building  bower  houses  to 
shield  them  from  the  sun. 

Saturday,  8th. — To-day  Halleck's  vast  army  is 
resting  beneath  the  shady  forests  of  Mississippi. 
The  boys  keep  close  under  their  houses ;  the  weather 
is  very  warm;  the  water  is  very  scarce,  hence  the 
soldiers  are  suffering. 

Monday,  9th. — This  morning  we  still  remain  undis- 
turbed in  our  bower  camp.  Troops  are  hourly  pass- 
ing us,  moving  southward.  The  roads  are  very 


80  H1STOBY    OF   THE 

dusty  ;  water  is  becoming  scarcer;  what  we  have  is  of 
an  inferior  quality  ;  we  need  rain  very  much. 

Tuesday,  10th. — To-day  we  remain  in  camp.  It 
is  rumored  to-night  that  the  troops  in  our  rear  are 
moving  back  towards  Corinth. 

Wednesday,  llth.— This  morning  the  army  is  break- 
ing camp,  and  taking  the  backward  track.  We 
look  for  our  turn  to  come  soon,  and  it  finally  comes ; 
we  take  up  the  weary  march;  the  roads  are  very 
dusty  ;  the  heat  is  intense ;  the  troops  almost  suffo- 
cate. This  grand  army  is  suffering  to-day  in  Missis- 
sippi, but  they  move  on ;  they  murmur  not.  We 
hope  soon  to  go  into  camp  and  rest  for  a  while. 
Night  comes,  and  the  .army  lies  down  to  sleep. 

Thursday,  12th. — This  morning  we  are  soon  on 
the  march,  moving  in  the  direction  of  Corinth.  Oh ! 
how  hot  and  dusty  ;  we  seem  to  be  moving  through 
one  vast  hot  cloud  of  dust,  and  what  adds  more  to 
the  suffering  of  the  soldier,  is  the  scarcity  of  water. 
We  come  to  a  halt,  with  orders  to  rest  for  the  night, 
for  the  soldiers  are  weary. 

Friday,  13th. — This  morning  about  three  o'clock 
we  move.  It  is  more  comfortable  marching  to-day  ; 
we  march  briskly  until  we  come  up  with  the  Second 
Brigade  and  our  baggage  train,  when  we  stop  to  eat 
our  breakfast.  We  do  not  stop  long ;  we  soon  move 
on  through  the  heat  and  dust,  and  in  the  evening  go 
into  camp  at  our  former  camping  ground,  near  the 
Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad. 

Saturday,  14th. — To-day  we  remain  in  camp ; 
everything  seems  quiet,  the  boys  look  cheerful. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  81 

Close  by,  in  a  winding  ravine  gushes  a  stream  of 
sparkling  water,  which  God,  the  Eternal,  brews  for 
all  his  children.  It  is  beautiful,  and  the  boys  in  blue 
kneel  often  there. 

Sunday,  15th. — We  have  divine  service  to-day. 
The  men  pay  due  deference  to  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel,  though  they  are  engaged  in  working  war's 
mad  machine,  a  machine  which  is  said  to  be  demor- 
alizing in  its  work.  The  weather  still  continues  very 
hot,  even  warmer  than  it  has  heretofore  been. 
"  Keep  us  in  the  shade,"  is  the  universal  cry  among 
the  men. 

Monday,  16th. — This  morning  a  large  detail  is 
made  from  the  regiment  to  prepare  a  new  and  per- 
manent camping  ground  for  the  summer.  It  rains 
to-day,  making  all  nature  look  smiling  and  healthy. 

Tuesday,  17th. — This  morning  after  the  rain,  the 
world  around  seems  all  beauty;  the  south  winds 
blow  soothingly  around  the  Union  soldiers  in  Missis- 
sippi. 

Wednesday,  18th. — To-day  we  move  our  camp; 
we  now  have  a  pleasant  situation.  The  signs  of 
the  times  are  changing.  Direct  communication  is 
now  open  from  Corinth  to  the  Mississippi  Ifciver. 

Thursday,  19th. — This  morning  is  still  and  beauti- 
ful. From  the  distant  fields  come  the  sound  of  the 
bugle's  sharp  notes.  The  artillery  is  going  pell  mell, 
practicing  in  the  evolutions.  Drill,  drill,  seems  to  be 
the  order  of  the  day,  coming  from  every  quarter. 
During  our  stay  in  camp  here,  nothing  of  much  inter- 
est occurs;  now  and  then  an  occasional  something 
4* 


82  HISTORY    OF    THE 

turns  up  to  relieve  the  dull  monotony  of  camp  life. 
On  the  third  of  July,  Colonel  Babcock  returns  back 
to  his  regiment  from  his  sick  leave ;  we  are  all  glad 
to  see  him  among  us  again.  On  the  Fourth  we  have 
a  soldier's  celebration,  a  barbacue  and  a  grand  dinner 
furnished  by  the  officers  of  the  regiment ;  we  are 
also  favored  on  the  occasion  with  a  good,  whole- 
souled  speech  from  General  Oglesby,  and  all  this  on 
the  ground  where  but  a  short  time  before  Yan 
Dorn's  and  Sterling  Price's  battle  flags  stood.  But 
they  stand  a  little  farther  south  now,  and  in  their 
stead  stands  another  flag,  and  around  it  stand  sol- 
diers who  wear  a  uniform  different  from  the  uniform 
worn  by  jthose  who  stood  around  the  other  flag ;  the 
former  battles  for  slavery,  the  latter  for  freedom ;  the 
former  for  the  annihilation  of  the  first  independence, 
the  latter  for  its  maintainance.  On  this  annual  anni- 
versary, beneath  the  heat  of  a  Mississippi  sun,  these 
boys  renew  their  allegiance,  and  swear  by  the 
memory  of  the  loved  and  lost  to  bear  their  bristling 
steel  for  the  first  independence  that  spoke  into  exist- 
ence are  public,  which  in  its  infancy  seemed  a  paragon 
let  down  from  heaven  to  inspire  the  pilgrims  ol 
freedom.  On  the  eleventh  our  regiment  receives  a 
new  stand  of  colors.  The  colors  we  carried  through 
the  battles  of  Fort  Donelson  and  Shiloh  are  now 
so  mutilated  that  we  are  unable  to  carry  them 
any  longer.  They  will  be  sent  to  Springfield  to 
be  laid  away  in  their  glory,  and  while  they  thus 
rest  from  battle  and  storm,  back  with  Illinois' 
great  loyal  people,  may  they  ever  remember  as 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  83 

they  gaze  upon  its  hallowed  ribbons,  the  noble 
ones  who  went  down  while  its  rents  and  scars  were 
being  made ;  whose  lamps  of  life  nickered  out  while 
wrathful  storms  were  sweeping  along  the  shores  of 
the  Cumberland  and  the  Tennessee,  and  over  the 
fields  of  Mississippi;  remember  that  while  it  was 
swung  in  its  glory  the  noble  hearts  of  Captains  Men- 
dell  and  Ward,  Lieutenants  Myres  and  Estabrook, 
Sergeants  Wheeler  and  Mitchell,  Corporals  William 
Boring,  Seth  Hamilton  and  Nixon,  Privates  Charles 
Newton,  John  Fifer,  Andrew  McKennon,  John  Teft, 
Richard  Lamherdt,  Isaac  Britton,  John  H.  Duff, 
John  Gibland,  Ole  Porter,  Peter  Miller,  John  H. 
Hopper  and  others  ceased  their  loyal  throbbings  for- 
ever. They  loved  that  old  banner,  made  so  hallowed 
on.  fields  of  blood.  It  was  the  pride  of  their  hearts ; 
for  it  they  lived,  for  it  they  died.  Those  shot-riven 
folds  will  speak  to  the  loyal  people  in  a  silent  lan- 
guage, telling  them  a  thrilling  story — a  story,  the  let- 
ters of  which  have  been  written  in  blood.  We  send 
them  back  to  the  good  people  from  whence  they  came, 
hoping  that  the  story  they  tell  will  find  an  entrance 
into  their  loyal  hearts  and  cause  it  to  start  a  tear  to 
the  memory  of  those  who  went  down  beneath  its 
folds. 

On  the  twenty-eighth  we  strike  tents,  and  move 
into  the  camp  lately  occupied  by  the  Sixth  Division. 
During  our  camp  here  the  regiment  is  on  picket 
every  other  day.  We  find  the  locality  very 
unhealthy. 

On  the  seventh  of  August  the  regiment  is  ordered 
to  advance  a  short  distance  and  clear  off  a  new  camp- 


HISTORY    OF    THE 

ground.  In  the  evening  we  notice  some  of  the 
Seventh  boys  escorting  in  from  the  picket  line  a 
squad  of  guerrillas.  They  are  taken  to  Corinth  that 
they  may  have  their  names  registered  and  obtain 
lodgings  at  the  Military  Hotel. 

On  the  ninth  we  move  to  our  new  and  fresh 
camping  ground,  near  battery  C.  Captain  Hackney 
will  remember  the  day  we  moved,  for  if  we  remember 
correctly  the  ague  shook  him  like  an  earthquake,  but 
the  soldier's  medicine  proved  a  sure  remedy.  "What 
a  god-send !  While  here  our  camp  and  picket  duties 
are  heavy.  Lieutenant  Ring  is  now  detached  from 
his  company,  having  been  detailed  as  Police  Officer 
of  Corinth.  General  Ord  has  indeed  made  a  good 
selection,  but  has  damaged  Company  H.  Contra- 
bands are  coming  in  daily.  "While  in  this  camp  some 
of  the  boys  bring  in  one  of  these  exiles  from  bond- 
age, to  enlist  as  a  company  cook,  followed  by  his 
master,  who  enters  complaint.  The  General  being 
strictly  averse  to  the  "peculiar  institution,"  makes 
disposition  of  the  case  by  compelling  the  old  man  to 
take  the  oath  of  allegiance  and  make  his  exit  from 
the  lines. 

On  Monday,  the  25th,  we  strike  our  tents  and 
move  from  our  camp.  The  weather  is  warm  and 
sultry.  We  pass  through  Corinth,  marching  in 
platoons;  it  is  very  dusty,  and  the  boys  almost  fam- 
ish for  water.  "We  go  into  camp  two  miles  north  of 
Corinth  to  stand  as  outposts  for  the  army  surround- 
ing, and  the  garrison  in  Corinth. 

The  26th  we  are  busily  engaged  cleaning  off  our 
camp  ground  ;  we  have  no  water  here ;  are  compelled 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  85 

to  haul  it  from  a  distance.  To-day  we  send  six  trains 
and  a  guard  for  water ;  they  return,  but  with  no 
water.  There  is  no  alternative  but  to  haul  it  from 
beyond  Corinth,  about  four  miles  distant.  During 
our  camp  here  on  the  Purdy  road,  we  live  like  kings ; 
the  result  of  the  sharp  trading  of  the  boys  with  the 
citizens  who  are  daily  seen  in  our  camp  with  fruit, 
milk,  chickens  and  eggs.  We  dare  say  our  men 
traded  with  many  a  rebel  spy,  and  the  information 
gained  by  them  resulted  in  making  additions  to 
the  already  long  list  of  names  of  those  who  are 
now  sleeping  silently  in  the  south-land  There 
was  a  mistake  somewhere;  somebody  committed 
an  error;  where  that  mistake,  and  who  that  some- 
body was,  we  are  not  prepared  to  say.  The  world, 
perhaps,  will  never  know. 

September  15th. — Company  A,  Captain  McGuire, 
Company  G,  Lieutenant  Sayles,  are  detached  from 
the  regiment  to  take  charge  of  a  battery.  To-day 
rumor  has  it  that  the  rebel  army  under  Price  is  mov- 
ing upon  Corinth.  If  they  come,  of  course  we  will 
meet  and  extend  to  them  our  hospitality.  It  is  also 
reported  that  there  is  fighting  going  on  at  luka,  Mis- 
sissippi, about  thirty  miles  from  Corinth ;  there  may 
be  some  truth  in  it.  If  so,  ere  long  we  may  be 
hurled  into  battle. 

On  the  20th  we  receive  dispatches  informing  us 
that  Eosecrans  is  engaged  in  battle  with  Price  at  luka. 
"We  are  expecting  every  minute  to  move.  It  is  now 
towards  evening ;  we  know  that  our  men  are  strug- 
gling to-day ;  we  know  not  the  result ;  we  fear  that 


86  HISTORY    OF    THE 

the  battle  lias  been   desperate,  but  we  hope  that  the 
old  flag  has  not  been  caused  to  droop. 

Sunday,  21st. — It  is  reported  to-day  that  Price  has 
been  beaten,  and  is  now  making  a  flank  movement 
towards  Corinth.  Soon  we  are  ordered  to  Corinth, 
and  there  we  lay  in  line  of  battle  all  day ;  but  no 
Price  comes,  and  we  return  to  camp  in  the  evening. 
Dispatches  from  Rosecrans  inform  us  this  evening 
that  he  has  routed  Price.  Praises  for  Eosecrans  and 
the  noble  Fifth  Iowa  come  from  every  one.  The 
Illinois  soldiers  can  ever  find  it  in  their  hearts  to  speak 
words  of  praise  about  their  brothers  from  Iowa, 
especially  when  like  the  Fifth  who  maintained  such  a 
desperate  bayonet  charge  to  save  their  colors  from 
falling  into  the  hands  of  the  rebels.  Right  here  we 
would  say  that  the  Seventh  Illinois  Veteran  Volun- 
teer Infantry  will  not  soon  forget  the  Seventh  and 
Second  Iowa,  starting  in  the  service  together,  fighting 
side  by  side  in  the  assault  on  Fort  Donelson,  together 
carrying  their  flag  in  the  thickest  of  the  battle,  camp- 
ing side  by  side  on  the  weary  march.  They  seemed 
to  each  other  as  brothers,  for  brothers  they  were, 
fighting  in  one  common  cause  to  keep  the  old  flag  on 
its  staff,  and  to-day  there  are  men  in  the  Seventh  that 
would  fling  their  coats  for  a  fight,  should  they  hear 
any  one  speak  disparagingly  of  the  Seventh  and 
Second  Iowa  infantry.  They  are  camped  now  some 
where  around  Corinth,  but  we  do  not  know  exactly 
where ;  however,  we  remember  them,  and  we 
imagine  when  the  war  is  over,  and  when  peace  comes 
back  to  her  people,  should  a  soldier  from  the  Sev- 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  87 

enth  Illinois  Infantry  meet  one  from  the  Seventh  or 
Second  Iowa  Infantry,  who  fought  with  him  at  Don- 
elson,  it  will  be  a  congenial  meeting,  and  if  he  does 
not  treat  him  as  a  gentleman  it  may  be  marked  down 
as  a  fact  that  he  does  not  understand  the  business. 

Tuesday,  23d. — We  move  our  camp  from  the 
Purdy  road  to  the  Pittsburg  road  to  give  way  for  the 
Sixteenth  "Wisconsin.  We  encamp  in  a  beautiful 
place  in  the  woods,  or  a  dense  thicket  of  Jack  Oaks, 
We  are  inclined  to  think  that  it  would  be  difficult  for 
the  rebels  to  find  us  here.  Yesterday  we  received 
some  new  recruits  in  our  regiment,  brought  down 
from  Springfield,  Illinois,  by  Capt.  Estabrook,  which 
greatly  improves  the  appearance  of  the  regiment. 

Wednesday,  24th. — This  morning  we  are  busily 
engaged  in  cleaning  off  our  new  camping  ground. 
It  has  been  suggested  that  the  Seventh  take  the  con- 
tract to  clear  off  Tishomingo  county.  We  have 
already  cleaned  off  nearly  enough  camping  ground  to 
camp  the  old  Second  Division,  this  being  the  sixth 
camp  the  Seventh  has  prepared  in  the  last  six  months ; 
but,  as  one  of  our  officers  remarked  to-day,  the  Sev- 
enth stands  flat-footed  for  anything,  whether  it  be 
cleaning  off  camping  grounds,  doing  guard  duty, 
running,  or  stealing,  and  it  is  now  whispered  around 
confidentially  that  in  the  latter  the  Seventh  might 
be  safe  in  claiming  a  little  accomplishment. 

Thursday,  25th. — To-day,  in  every  direction,  we 
can  see  the  Seventh  boys  reading  the  papers  (for  by 
the  way,  the  Seventh  is  a  reading  regiment,)  and 
from  every  quarter  comes  bitter  denunciations 


88  HISTORY    OF   THE 

against  the  enemies  of  Pope,  and  laudations  upon 
Abraham  Lincoln  for  having  the  backbone  and  the 
wisdom  to  issue  at  this  turbulent  and  threatening 
period  the  great  emancipation  proclamation.  "We 
hail  this  as  one  of  the  most  powerful  blows  against 
rebellion ;  the  freedom  of  the  slave  paving  the  way 
for  the  advance  of  free  thought. 

Monday,  29th. — All  is  quiet;  a  dull  monotony 
reigns  in  camp.  It  is  rumored  that  the  command 
will  move  from  Corinth  ere  long.  All  seem  anxious 
for  that  hour  to  come — seem  tired  of  this  inactive 
life.  General  Eosecrans  has  command  of  the  forces 
here.  In  the  evening  he  visits  our  camp:  seems 
greatly  pleased  with  our  dress  parade,  and  the  effi- 
ciency of  the  regiment  in  the  manual  of  arms. 

Wednesday,  October  1st.— This  morning  we  receive 
marching  orders:  about  noon  we  strike  tents  and 
move  out,  all  in  a  glee,  as  it  is  rumored  that  we  are 
going  to  have  a  fight  ere  long  with  Price  and  his 
boasted  legions.  We  march  as  far  as  our  old  camp 
in  the  Second  Division,  near  the  Mobile  and  Ohio 
Eailroad,  (this  being  the  third  time  we  have  pitched 
our  tents  here  since  the  evacuation  of  Corinth). 

Thursday,  2d. — Troops  are  moving  to-day  in 
almost  every  direction.  It  seems  that  the  old  Second 
Division  is  collecting  together  for  some  forward 
movement.  This  evening  the  command  receives 
marching  orders;  ordered  to  have  prepared  two 
day's  cooked  rations  in  haversacks,  also  to  move  with 
two  hundred  rounds  of  cartridges  to  the  man,  forty  in 
the  cartridge  box,  and  the  remaining  one  hundred  and 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  89 

sixty  to  be  hauled  in  the  wagons.  These  orders  to 
the  Seventh,  we  are  inclined  to  think,  mean  business. 
There  is  certainly  a  storm  coming.  God  only 
knows  how  soon  the  terrible  din  will  be  heard ;  only 
knows  how  soon  there  will  be  a  rattle  of  musketry 
and  a  clash  of  steel;  when  more  blood  will  flow, 
more  hearts  will  bleed,  and  more  tears  will  fall.  If 
such  days  come  again,  throwing  around  these  stout 
hearts  war's  fierce  realities,  may  the  spirit  of  the 
great  Jehovah  control  the  wrathful  storms  and  nerve 
the  Union  soldier,  that  he  may  not  falter. 
PROMOTIONS. 

Up  to  this  date  the  following  promotions  have 
been  made  in  the  regiment,  for  meritorious  services 
performed  in  battle  at  Fort  Donelson: 

Colonel  John  Cook  to  be  Brigadier  General. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  A.  J.  Babcock  to  be  Colonel, 
vice  Cook,  promoted. 

Major  E.  Kowett  to  be  Lieutenant  Colonel,  vice 
Babcock,  promoted. 

Captain  Monroe  to  be  Major,  vice  Rowett,  pro- 
moted. 

Adjutant  B.  F.  Smith  promoted  to  Captain  and 
A.  A.  G.,  on  General  Cook's  staff. 

Second  Lieutenant  Newton  Francis  to  be  First 
Lieutenant  of  Company  I,  vice  Johnson,  promoted. 

First  Lieutenant  Newton  Francis  to  be  Adjutant, 
vice  Smith,  promoted. 

First  Sergeant  Thomas  McGuire  to  be  Second 
Lieutenant  of  Company  A,  vice  Renick,  resigned. 


90  HISTORY   OF   THE 

Second  Lieutenant  Thomas  McGuire  to  be  First 
Lieutenant  of  Company  A,  vice  Kimball,  resigned. 

First  Sergeant  Ben.  Sweeney  to  be  Second  Lieu- 
tenant of  Company  A,  vice  McGuire,  promoted. 

First  Lieutenant  Hector  Pen-in  to  be  Captain  of 
Company  B,  vice  Monroe,  promoted. 

Second  Lieutenant  O.  D.  Ells  to  be  First  Lieu- 
tenant of  Company  B,  vice  Perrin,  promoted. 

First  Lieutenant  Edward  S.  Johnson  to  be  Cap- 
tain of  Company  I,  vice  Mendell,  killed. 

First  Sergeant  John  E.  Sullivan  to  be  Second 
Lieutenant  of  Company  I,  vice  Francis,  promoted. 

Second  Lieutenant  John  E.  Sullivan  to  be  First 
Lieutenant  of  Company  I,  vice  Francis,  promoted. 

First  Sergeant  Joseph  S.  Fisher  to  be  Second 
Lieutenant  of  Company  I,  vice  Sullivan,  promoted. 

For  meritorious  service  performed  at  Shiloh  : 

Sergeant  George  W.  Wheeler  to  be  Captain  of 
Company  A,  vice  Ward,  killed. 

Second  Lieutenant  J.  L.  King  to  be  First  Lieu- 
tenant of  Company  H,  vice  My  res,  killed. 

First  Sergeant  Thomas  J.  Pegram  to  be  Second 
Lieutenant  of  Company  H,  vice  King,  promoted. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

The  battle  of  Corinth,  first  day — Orders  to  move — Rumor  of 
Price  and  Van  Dorn  advancing — Marched  to  the  outer  works 
— The  Seventh's  position  in  the  works — The  contest  on  the 
hill — The  flanking  of  the  Seventh — Its  safe  retreat — The  charge 
of  the  Second  Division — The  Second  Division  fighting  the 
whole  rebel  army — Ordered  into  camp  for  the  night  near  the 
college — Movements  during  the  night — Second  day — Position 
in  the  morning — Early  firing  from  a  rebel  battery — The  regi- 
ment's position  behind  the  temporary  works — The  attack — The 
fierceness  of  the  battle — The  falling  back  of  the  troops — The 
reaction — The  victory — The  casualties — The  camp  on  the  field — 
The  pursuit — The  camp  at  Rookerville,  Mississippi — The  march 
back  to  Corinth — Our  camp  at  Corinth — The  Second  Division 
— The  Cincinnati  Commercial's  Correspondent — Captain  Hoi- 
den's  resignation. 

Friday,  October  3d,  1862. — This  morning  ere  it  is 
light,  the  drums  are  heard,  which  tell  us  that  some- 
thing is  demanded  of  the  Seventh — a  march  and  a 
fight  forsooth.  Orders  for  a  march  we  have  already 
received,  but  orders  for  a  battle  may  be  forthcoming, 
for  these  come  unexpected  sometimes.  Rumor, 
which  is  ever  busy,  is  circulating  many  things ;  one  is 
that  Price  and  Van  Dorn,  being  dissatisfied  with 
luka,  are  now  threatening  Corinth.  But  every  one 
seems  to  be  ignorant  of  anything  hostile  any  where  in 
Northern  Mississippi.  The  Seventh  is  soon  ordered 
into  line,  and  with  everything  buckled  and  in  trim, 
we  take  up  the  line  of  march  towards  Corinth. 
After  going  a  short  distance,  we  are  ordered  to  move 


92  HISTORY  OF  THE 

in  double-quick  time.  This  leads  us  to  think  that 
there  is  something  coming  this'way,  that  will  give  us 
battle  music,  but  who  will  play  it,  we  know  not. 
"We  are  soon  in  Corinth ;  everything  is  in  commo- 
tion ;  troops  are  moving,  and  aids  and  orderlies  dash- 
ing everywhere.  Soon  we  are  informed  that  Colonel 
Olive,  with  the  Fifteenth  Michigan,  has  been  driven 
in  from  Chewalla,  an  out-post  on  the  Memphis  and 
Charleston  Railroad,  nine  miles  south  of  Corinth. 
An  orderly  is  now  seen  dashing  up  the  Chewalla 
road.  He  comes  from  Colonel  Olive,  and  informs 
the  General  that  the  Fifteenth  Michigan  is  pressed, 
and  if  not  reinforced,  will  be  unable  to  maintain 
its  position  now  on  the  hill,  on  the  line  of  the 
old  rebel  works,  crossing  the  Chewalla  road,  two 
and  a-half  miles  from  Corinth.  Colonel  Bab- 
cock  is  ordered  forward  -on  double-quick  time 
with  the  Seventh,  to  reinforce  him.  Arriving 
at  the  scene  of  action,  we  find  McArthur  in 
command  on  the  hill.  Reporting  to  him,  Colonel 
Babcock  is  ordered  to  take  his  position  in  the  rebel 
works,  forty  rods  to  the  right  of  the  Fifteenth  Michi- 
gan; the  artillery  being  immediately  to  our  left. 
Colonel  Babcock  now  sends  forward  Company  H, 
deployed  on  a  skirmish  line  along  a  ravine  beyond 
the  abattis.  Soon  we  hear  sharp  firing  down  there; 
with  a  sweeping  power  the  rebels  are  hurled  against 
them,  compelling  them  to  fall  back,  and  as  they  come 
over  the  works,  they  carry  with  them  Lieutenant 
Ring,  wounded  and  bleeding,  which  is  a  serious 
loss  to  the  company.  It  is  sad  to  think  that  after  he 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS   INFANTBT.  9o 

had  obtained  permission  from  the  General  in  the 
morning  to  return  to  his  company,  that  he  should 
thus  fall  in  the  commencement  of  the  battle ;  that  the 
company  should  thus  be  deprived  of  its  brave  leader. 
But  such  are  the  fortunes  of  war;  the  brave  spirited 
heroes  are  generally  the  first  to  go  down.  Before 
Lieutenant  Ring  is  carried  from  the  field,  he  says  to 
his  men,  "  I  may  never  be  with,  you  any  more,"  and 
exhorts  them  to  stand  firm  for  the  old  flag  and  do  it 
and  their  homes  honor,  as  they  had  always  done  on 
every  battle-field.  How  sad  it  makes  us  feel  to  see 
our  brave  ones  fall ;  to  see  our  leading  spirits  leave 
us  when  we  can  illy  spare  them.  The  brave  Ring  is 
now  borne  back  in  his  glory. 

We  will  now  turn  to  the  situation.  By  this  time 
it  is  discovered  that  Price  and  Yan  Dorn  are  in  our 
immediate  front  with  their  entire  commands3  num- 
bering about  twenty-five  thousand  men.  which  tells  us 
plainly  that  there  will  be  a  work  of  blood  to-day  in 
these  woods.  We  now  look  across  the  abattis  and 
behold  the  angry  legions  of  the  south  moving 
towards  our  front  in  terrible  array.  The  battery  on 
our  left,  the  Fifteenth  Michigan,  and  the  Fifty-sev- 
enth on  the  left  of  the  Fifteenth,  now  open  a  terrific 
fire.  At  this  juncture  we  discover  a  large  body  of 
rebels  emerging  from  the  timber  in  solid  column, 
about  forty  rods  to  our  right,  moving  directly  across 
the  unprotected  works.  The  Seventh  turns  its  fire 
towards  them  and  checks  them  for  a  few  minutes. 
This  column's  fire  soon  turns  the  Seventh's  right 
flank.  The  enemy  in  our  front  having  been  repulsed 


94  HISTORY    OF   THE 

by  the  Seventh,  soon  rally  and  are  on  to  the 
breach  again,  receiving  our  fire  with  a  remark- 
able indifference.  Up  to  this  time  the  battery  and 
the  force  on  our  left  have  been  making  the  woods 
ring  with  their  terrible  thunder,  but  they  are  silent 
now;  their  cannons  are  still;  their  musketry  is 
hushed.  What  means  it  all  ?  Owing  to  the  dense 
undergrowth  in  the  woods  we  are  hid  from  them. 
Colonel  Babcock  has  not  received  any  word  from 
McArthur  since  taking  his  position  here.  The  battle 
still  rages  in  our  immediate  front.  Colonel  Babcock 
casts  his  eye  to  the  rear ;  he  looks  down  a  ravine  and 
beholds  the  Chewalla  road  swarming  with  rebels. 
The  fact  soon  flashes  upon  his  mind  that  McArthur, 
with  his  force,  has  been  driven  from  the  hill,  leav- 
ing the  Seventh  isolated  and  alone.  The  rebels 
are  now  pressing  us  in  the  front,  a  column  moving 
past  us  to  our  right,  another  rebel  force  on  the  Che- 
walla  road  to  our  left  and  rear,  pressing  McArthur 
hard.  This  is  our  position;  rebels  in  our  front, 
rebels  on  our  right  and  rear,  rebels  on  our  left  and 
rear ;  soon  their  right  and  left  columns  will  meet ;  soon 
we  will  be  surrounded  if  we  remain  here.  Colonel 
Babcock's  observing  eye  sees  the  situation  of  the 
regiment,  in  an  instant.  The  command  is  given, 
'By  the  right  of  companies  to  the  rear."  Will  we 
get  back  ?  Will  we  save  ourselves  by  moving  direct 
to  the  rear?  We  may;  this  is  our  only  hope.  The 
regiment  moves  steadily ;  no  confusion,  no  panic ;  how 
like  clock-work  they  move.  We  succeed  in  getting 
back  ere  the  rebel  columns  meet.  We  find  Colonel 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  95 

Olive's  command  and  the  regiments  composing  the 
Third  Brigade,  in  line  of  battle  one-half  mile  from 
the  hill,  where  they  had  been  driven.  The  Third 
Brigade  is  now  formed  on  the  Chewalla  road;  the 
Seventh  on  the  right,  with  the  left  resting  on  the 
road,  and  in  their  order  the  Fiftieth  and  Fifty-sev- 
enth on  the  left  of  the  road ;  and  as  soon  as  the  Sev- 
enth is  formed,  Colonel  Babcock  reports  to  General 
McArthur,  who  had  assumed  command  of  that 
part  of  the  line.  By  his  direction  we  move  by 
the  left  flank  east  of  the  Chewalla  road,  form- 
ing a  new  line  of  battle  facing  north.  Compa- 
nies I  and  C,  under  the  command  of  the  gal- 
lant Captain  Johnson  are  now  deployed  forward  on 
a  skirmish  line  covering  the  front  of  the  Third 
Brigade.  The  positions  of  the  regiments  in  the 
Third  Brigade  are  as  follows :  The  Fifty-seventh  on 
the  right,  and  in  their  order  the  Seventh  and  the 
Fftieth.  Thus  is  the  position  of  the  Second  Divisionr 
commanded  by  General  Davies :  The  First  Brigade, 
commanded  by  General  Hackleman,  in  the  center ; 
the  Second  Brigade,  commanded  by  General  Oglesby, 
on  the  right;  and  the  Third  Brigade,  commanded 
Colonel  Baldwin,  on  the  left. 

There  is.  a  lull  now;  the  rebels  seem  hesitating. 
The  heat  is  intense ;  no  water ;  the  men  are  famish- 
ing ;  some  of  the  Seventh  fall  in  their  tracks,  faint- 
ing and  exhausted  under  the  scorching  sun.  While 
the  men  are  thus  suffering,  we  advance;  the  Fifty- 
seventh  takes  the  lead,  the  Seventh  follows,  then 
the  Fiftieth.  Through  the  woods  they  swept  with 


96  HISTORY   OF   THE 

the  power  of  a  terrible  whirlwind.  For  one-half 
mile  they  surge  with  a  relentless  force,  making 
a  fearful  inroad  among  the  rebels,  but  at  this 
juncture  fresh  rebel  troops  are  hurled  against  our 
flanks,  compelling  us  to  give  way.  That  was  a  try- 
ing hour ;  the  storm  raged  furiously ;  the  woods  were 
wrapped  in  smoke  and  flame.  We  fall  back  to  our 
former  position,  and  crossing  the  railroad,  move  back 
a  short  distance,  where  we  find  the  Sixth  Division 
drawn  up  in  line  of  battle.  General  McArthur  now 
directs  Colonel  Babcock  to  take  his  regiment  to  the 
rear  of  the  Division  and  let  it  rest. 

The  Sixth  Division  advances  and  engages  the  enemy 
and  for  fifteen  minutes  the  storm  rages  wildly.  Gen- 
erals Hackleman  and  Oglesby  charge  from  the  white 
house,  near  Corinth.  General  Hackleman  falls  a 
martyr — goes  down  in  the  sweeping  tempest,  and  at 
the  same  time  General  Oglesby  is  badly  wounded ; 
thus  we  lose  from  the  Union  army  two  brave  and 
noble  men. 

Night  now  lets  fall  her  dark  mantle,  and  the 
great  storm  is  hushed.  General  Davies'  Division 
made  a  fearful  swing  to-day.  During  the  long  weary 
hours  while  his  men  were  famishing  and  dying,  he 
fought  the  whole  rebel  army  and  held  it  in  check. 
Where  was  Kosecrans,  with  Hamilton  and  Stanly, 
when  the  Second  Division  was  struggling  as  war- 
riors have  but  few  times  struggled  on  this  continent  ? 
They  may  have  been  where  duty  called.  We  trust 
they  were.  It  may  have  been  necessary  for  the 
Second  Division  to  alone  stem  the  angry  current. 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  97 

and  to-night  we  leel  glad  that  we  never  let  the  old 
flag  go  down,  but  kept  her  up  to  gladden  the  hearts 
of  many  brave  men  as  their  life  blood  ebbed  away 
on  this  field  of  fearful  carnage. 

We  are  ordered  into  camp  one-half  mile  southeast 
of  Corinth,  near  the  college,  but  we  do  not  remain 
here  long  until  Colonel  Babcock  receives  orders  to 
report  with  the  regiment  to  Corinth.  Though  the 
men  are  weary,  they  are  soon  in  line.  On  arriving 
near  the  town,  we  are  ordered  to  halt,  and  as  soon  as 
done  the  battle  worn  men  drop  down  upon  the 
ground  to  rest  themselves ;  but  their  eyes  are  scarcely 
closed,  when  again  the  command  "fall  in"  is  given, 
and  we  move  to  another  position,  and  thus  during 
the  long  weary  night  we  are  kept  moving  from  one 
place  to  another ;  and,  in  consequence,  there  is  no 
sleep  for  the  tired  and  almost  exhausted  Seventh. 

Saturday,  4th. — At  two  o'clock  this  morning  the 
Second  Division  is  huddled  promiscuously  around 
the  headquarters  of  General  Kosecrans,  on  the  north 
side  of  Corinth.  About  three  o'clock,  a  sheet  of  fire 
is  seen  to  burst  from  a  rebel  battery  planted  during 
the  night  in  the  woods  near  the  Purdy  road;  all 
morning  it  continues  to  send  forth  its  glaring  light ; 
the  air  is  full  of  bursting  shell ;  the  heavens  seem 
all  ablaze ;  the  stars  "for  a  moment  seem  eclipsed. 
The  light  from  the  morning  king  is  now  flashing 
against  the  bayonets  of  the  two  hostile  armies. 
Smoke  and  wrathful  messengers  still  continue  to 
leap  from  the  woods  where  the  rebel  monster  frowns, 
and  as  its  storm  comes  sweeping  on  its  track,  death 
5 


98  HISTORY    OF    THE 

follows  in  its  wake,  for  some  brave  men  are  seen  to 
fall,  breathe  quickly,  and  die.  Our  big  guns  at  bat- 
teries Williams  and  Robinet  now  open  upon  this 
rebel  battery  with  a  roar  that  is  hideous ;  sending 
echoes  across  the  fields  and  through  the  surrounding 
woods  that  sound  unearthly.  This  battery  is  soon 
disabled,  and  rebel  heels  are  seen  to  fly  heaven- 
ward, thus  putting  a  stop  to  its  deadly  sweeps. 

About  eight  o'clock  the  regiment  is  moved  forward 
and  placed  in  a  position  behind  some  temporary 
works  constructed  during  the  night.  The  position  of 
the  Second  Division  resembles  an  ox  yoke,  minus  the 
bows ;  the  First  Brigade  and  Powell's  battery  form- 
ing the  right  curve,  with  the  bulge  facing  the  enemy 
north  and  northwest;  the  Second  Brigade  forming 
the  center,  facing  northwest,  and  the  Third  Brigade 
forming  the  left  curve,  facing  north  and  west.  The 
position  of  the  Third  Brigade,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Dubois,  U.  S.  A.,  ^is  as  follows :  The  Seventh  Illi- 
nois on  the  right  with  its  right  resting  on  the  Purdy 
road,  and  in  their  order  the  Fiftieth  and  Fifty-sev- 
enth Illinois.  Soon  after  taking  our  position  in  the 
great  yoke  of  bayonets,  Colonel  Babcock  is  ordered 
to  move  forward,  deploy  his  regiment  and  support 
Berge'e  sharp-shooters.  We  soon  discovered  the 
enemy  crossing  the  railroad  in  large  force.  Upon 
making  the  discovery  we  are  ordered  to  return  to 
our  position  in  the  "yoke."  The  enemy  is  now 
evidently  making  preparations  to  take  Corinth,  if 
possible,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 


.       SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  99 

While  there  is  a  lull  in  consequence  of  these  prep- 
arations, we  will  review  the  situation.  Here,  mar- 
shaled upon  Corinth's  fields,  can  be  seen  thousands 
of  determined  warriors  supporting  their  bristling 
steel,  waiting  to  engage  in  the  work  of  blood.  There 
is  silence  along  the  Seventh's  line,  and  we  all  leel 
that  it  will  prove  to  be  a  line  of  stout  hearts.  The 
gallant  Colonel  Babcock  and  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Eowett  are  at  their  posts.  The  commanders  of  com- 
panies, Captains  Lawyer,  Hunter,  Johnson,  Knowl- 
ton,  McGuire,  Perrin,  Clark,  and  Lieutenants  Esta- 
brook,  Pegram,  Smith,  Sullivan,  Sweeny,  Raymond, 
Ahern,  Atchison  and  Gillson  are  resting  upon  their 
drawn  swords.  They  will  soon  wield  them  and  we 
know  that  they  will  be  wielded  so  as  to  reflect  glory 
and  honor  upon  those  who  swing  them.  The  story  of 
the  terrible  days  of  the  past  assure  us  as  much.  The 
sun  is  now  far  up  in  the  sky,  but  it  is  evident  that 
ere  it  sinks  to  rest  many  a  noble  soldier  will  have 
laid  himself  down  for  a  quiet,  eternal  sleep.  We 
look  across  the  fields;  the  ghastly  stars  and  bars 
are  seen  peering  from  the  woods ;  the  drunken  Ar- 
kansas legions  under  the  command  of  General 
Caball  are  surging  towards  the  Third  Brigade's  front, 
four  regiments  deep  in  columns  o±  attack.  The 
redoubt  on  the  right  is  now  taken  ;  the  right  is  giv- 
ing way  in  confusion ;  there  is  a  gap  in  the  line  to 
our  right  on  the  Purdy  road ;  the  attack  on  the  left 
being  slight,  the  Fifty-seventh  is  removed  therefrom 
and  thrown  into  this  breach.  At  this  period  a  bat- 
tery in  our  rear  on  an  elevation  overlooking  Corinth 


100  HISTORY    OF    THE 

opens  upon  General  Caball's  charging  column.  The 
shot  from  this  battery  falling  short,  Sergeant 
Wheeler,  of  Company  H  of  the  Seventh,  is  thereby 
killed.  The  battle  now  rages  furiously ;  many  noble 
men  are  falling  victims ;  streams  of  blood  are  flow- 
ing ;  the  death  archer  is.  at  work.  The  charging 
column  is  overwhelming ;  the  Seventh  is  now  driven 
from  the  temporary  works  ;  the  yoke  is  broken  ;  the 
regiment  is  retreating  slowly ;  they  are  contesting 
manfully  every  inch  of  the  ground.  Falling  back  a 
short  distance,  Colonel  Babcock  and  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Rowett,  with  the  ready  assistance  of  the  offi- 
cers of  the  line,  succeed  in  rallying  the  regiment, 
forming  a  line  at  a  small  house  on  the  out-skirts  of 
Corinth,  where  the  Seventh  stands  like  a  pillar  of 
fire.  Yolley  after  volley  they  are  now  sending 
into  the  Arkansas  hosts.  They  seem  determined 
though  they  die  to  keep  the  old  flag  in  the  wind. 
On,  the  storm  king  of  battle  rides.  Eeckless  shot 
and  -shell  are  making  deep  furrows  in  the  earth. 
The  air  is  full  of  whistling  minies;  things  look 
fearful.  We  stand  amid  the  dead  and  dying.  Smoke 
from  iron  mouths  rolls  everywhere  ;  everything  seems 
to  be  wrapped  in  flames.  How  can  our  thinned  and 
almost  famished  Seventh  stem  this  mad  storm  ?  For 
a  few  moments,  the  regiment's  determined  front 
staggers  the  enemy  and  throws  them  into  confusion, 
but  they  have  re-formed,  and  are  now  coming  across 
the  open  field  in  terrible  array.  The  regiment  that 
has  thus  far  stood  up  so  manfully  is  now  made  to 
waver — the  flag  is  seen  to  tremble.  At  this  trying 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  101 

moment  an  aid  comes  dashing  down  the  line  (we 
believe  it  was  Capt.  Lovel)  crying  out,  "Oh,  noble 
Seventh !  noble  Seventh !  stand  the  storm,  it  won't 
last  long !"  The  battery  on  the  hill  in  the  rear  still 
continues  its  firing.  The  Seventh  being  unable  to 
stand  against  the  overwhelming  and  sweeping  rebel 
force,  and  being  exposed  to  the  fierce  storms  of  this 
(our  own)  battery  on  the  hill,  again  falls  back  and 
forms  out  of  the  line  of  its  fire.  In  this  retreat  the 
gallant  and  brave  Lieutenant  Estabrook  of  Company 
E  was  killed.  The  battle  all  along  the  entire  line  is 
now  raging  desperately.  The  earth  is  trembling 
around  Fort  Robinet,  wrathful  thunder  is  rolling  from 
her  brazen  guns.  The  battle  smoke  seems  to  roll 
against  the  sky.  General  Rogers  and  his  Texan 
legions  have  thrown  themselves  into  the  ordeal  there, 
but  like  grass  before  the  mower's  scythe  his  mad  ran- 
gers are  falling  victims  to  a  wicked  ambition.  We 
now  turn  our  eyes,  casting  them  along  the  Second 
Division's  crippled  line.  They  are  fighting  desper- 
ately against  fearful  odds,  hotly  contesting  every  inch 
of  ground  on  the  streets  of  Corinth.  The  regiments 
are  broken  up  in  small  squads,  commanded  by  Lieu- 
tenants and  Sergeants.  Colonel  Babcock  and  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Rowett,  with  a  part  of  the  regiment 
are  now  standing  heroically  with  their  trembling  flag ; 
the  remaining  part  of  the  Regiment  being  discon- 
nected from  the  colors,  is  engaged  in  heated  contest 
on  other  parts  of  the  field.  Confusion  reigns ;  dark- 
ness seems  to  be  throwing  her  sable  wings  around 
the  struggling  Second  Division.  The  main  drift  of 


102  HISTORY    OF    THE 

the  battle  has  been  against  them.  General  Davies? 
with  the  gallant  Captains  Lovel  and  Hanna,  Colonel 
Dubois,  Colonel  Babcock,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Row- 
ett,  and  the  brave  officers  of  the  line,  have  been 
laboring  hard  to  check  the  adverse  tide. 

The  sun  is  now  passing  down  towards  the  western 
horizon.  Will  the  battle  be  lost  ?  will  this  brave 
army  be  crushed  ?  will  the  flag  be  lowered  ?  will  the 
loyal  people  be  compelled  to  bow  their  heads  and 
drop  tears  over  another  ill-fated  field  ?  No  I  Such  a 
story  shall  not  go  to  the  hearts  of  the  loyal  people. 
"We  look  away ;  we  behold  the  right  wing  swinging 
around,  hurling  volley  after  volley  into  the  flanks 
of  the  enemy.  There  is  a  reaction  now;  the  Sec- 
ond Division  rallies  again,  and  led  by  General 
Davies,  fights  with  renewed  vigor.  The  rebel  lines 
are  seen  to  waver ;  our  big  guns  are  now  mowing  them 
down  by  hundreds.  Seeing  this  wavering  of  the 
rebels,  the  men  are  encouraged.  Colonel  Babcock, 
with  the  Seventh,  moves  firmly  and  with  power. 
The  Fiftieth  are  making  a  glorious  charge  ;  a  smile  of 
triumph  seems  to  be  playing  on  every  face.  The 
enemy  are  being  driven ;  foot  by  foot  they  are  falling 
back  from  Corinth's  field.  The  Union's  proud  ban- 
ner is  again  advancing ;  loud  shouts  from  our  lines 
are  making  a  din  in  the  air.  The  dying  heroes,  as 
they  pass  away,  leave  ringing  in  our  ears,  "  Follow 
the  flag !"  "  Keep  it  up!"  «  Dont  let  it  fall !"  Oh! 
what  hearts  !  what  glory !  what  manhood  !  A.  rebel 
retreat  is  ordered.  The  shouts  of  victory  make  the 
welkin  ring.  The  old  Seventh's  flag  in  its  shreds 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  103 

and  libbons  seems  to  shed  a  halo  of  glory  around  its 
exultant  and  happy  defenders. 

Sergeant  Newell  and  Corporal  Bordwell,  color 
bearers,  deserve  honorable  mention  for  their  gallantry 
in  carrying  our  flag  through  this  terrible  battle.  No 
braver  soldiers  ever  moved  on  a  battle-field.  No  one 
ever  looked  to  the  rear  to  see  the  Seventh's  colors ; 
but  on  the  front  line  in  the  fiercest  of  the  battle,  their 
noble  bearers  were  ever  seen  standing  with  them. 
They  unfurled  them  in  the  battle  wind  and  never  let 
them  go  down.  They  seemed  to  be  the  pride  of  their 
hearts,  and  their  faces  looked  sad  when  the  fortunes 
of  battle  compelled  them  to  carry  them  back.  In 
the  wide  universe  there  is  nothing  so  beautiful  to 
behold  as  a  brave  man  fighting  for  his  country's  flag ; 
nothing  more  beautiful  than  to  see  fearless  spirits  like 
Sergeant  Newell  and  Corporal  Bordwell,  bearing  the 
proud  banner  of  freedom  through  smoke  and  flame. 

Night  has  now  come,  and  the  worn  and  almost 
exhausted  Seventh  lie  down  upon  the  blood-stained 
field  to  obtain  some  rest.  Though  we  are  all  weary 
and  tired,  we  feel  glad  in  our  hearts  that  the  old  flag 
has  been  honored  to-day,  and  while  we  thus  feel 
happy  we  feel  sad  when  we  look  around  us  and  see 
that  comrades  and  officers  who  were  with  us  yester- 
day morning  and  this  morning  are  with  us  no  more. 
The  following  is  the  Seventh's  casualties  in  the  two 
days'  battle : 

STAFF. — First  Lieutenant  William  Brown,  Quar- 
termaster, mortally  wounded;  T.  N.  Francis,  Adju- 


104:  HISTORY    OF     THE 

tant,  wounded  in  foot;  Fred  W.  Cross,  Fife  Major, 
wounded  through  mouth,  severely. 

COMPANY  B. — John  Fifer,  killed;  Wentworth  D. 
W°lf>  taken  prisoner;  John  Devine,  corporal, 
wounded  in  the  face  ;  W.  Graham,  corporal,  wounded 
in  left  shoulder ;  L.  D.  Porter,  private,  wounded  in 
left  hand,  finger  off;  Wm.  Auld,  wounded  in  left 
hand,  severely ;  Wm.  Nelson,  wounded  in  left  hand 
slightly. 

COMPANY  C. — E.  R.  Roberts,  First  Lieutenant, 
wounded  in  hand,  finger  off;  W.  H.  Ferguson,  Second 
Lieutenant,  wounded  in  right  arm,  severely ;  Clark 
B.  Alford,  private,  killed ;  G-.  W.  Baldwin,  private, 
wounded  in  right  arm;  Edgar  Campbell,  private, 
wounded  in  right  hand;  J.  Hamilton,  private, 
wounded  in  hand,  slightly ;  J  Kopf,  private,  wounded 
in  arm,  slightly;  William  Shell,  taken  prisoner. 

COMPANY  D. — Sergeant  F.  Bradshaw,  taken  pris- 
oner ;  Corporal  T.  Raymond,  taken  prisoner ;  T.  M. 
Reeves,  private,  taken  prisoner ;  W.  H.  Harris,  pri- 
vate, taken  prisoner  ;  Michael  Greely,  private,  taken 
prisoner  ;  Michael  Walsh,  private,  wounded  slightly. 

COMPANY  E. — Henry  K  Estabrook,  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, killed;  John  Tefft,  private,  killed;  Jasper 
Eveland,  private,  wounded,  leg  amputated ;  William 
Robinson,  private,  wounded  in  hip ;  Albion  F.  Gos- 
sard,  private,  wounded  in  arm;  Thomas  H.  Watt, 
private,  wounded  in  shoulder,  severely  ;  John  B. 
Forbes,  private,  wounded  in  hip,  severely ;  Joseph 
Lancaster,  private,  wounded  in  head,  severely ;  Edwin 
R.  Jones,  private,  wounded  in  head,  severely ;  Martin 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  105 

V.  Miller,  sergeant,  taken  prisoner ;    John  J.  Frost, 
private,  taken  prisoner. 

COMPANY  F. — James  Adams,  private,  killed ;  Ber- 
nard Keely,  private,  mortally  wounded ;  R.  C. 
Staples,  private,  wonnded;  Hans  Hanson,  private, 
wounded  ;  Joshua  S.  March,  private,  taken  prisoner. 

COMPANY  G. — William  Hawks,  private,  wounded, 
finger  off:  D.  C.  Munson,  corporal,  wounded  in 
thigh,  severely. 

COMPANY  H. — Jacob  L.  Eing,  First  Lieutenant, 
wounded  in  breast,  severely ;  Laban  Wheeler,  ser- 
geant, killed ;  W.  T.  Taylor,  private,  wounded  in  hip, 
severely ;  Edmond  H.  Cook,  private,  wounded  in 
foot,  slightly;  John  D.  Turner,  corporal,  taken  priso- 
ner ;  James  M.  Halbert,  private,  taken  prisoner ; 
John  Fowler,  private,  taken  prisoner;  William  T. 
Omay,  private,  taken  prisoner. 

COMPANY  I. — John  H.  Shankland,  first  sergeant, 
wounded  in  chin,  slightly  ;  David  Walker,  private, 
wounded  in  ankle  ;  Robert  Walker,  private,  wounded 
in  right  shoulder ;  George  Heisey,  private,  wounded 
in  arm  severely  ;  Patrick  Crowley,  private,  wounded 
in  right  foot,  severely  ;  John  Mow,  private,  wounded 
in  left  leg,  severely;  Michael  O'Connor,  private, 
wounded  in  left  hand  ;  John  W.  Campbell,  sergeant, 
taken  prisoner ;  Peter  Miller,  private,  taken  priso- 
ner ;  Wm.  E.  Norton,  private,  taken  prisoner ; 
Daniel  J.  Baker,  private,  taken  prisoner. 


106  HISTORY   OF   THE 

COMPANY  K. — Felix  Lane,  private,  wounded 
slightly  in  the  face  ;  Richard  Taylor,  private,  woun- 
ded slightly  in  the  back ;  George  Palmer,  private, 
taken  prisoner ;  David  Lewis,  private,  taken  prisoner; 
Mike  Connerty,  private,  taken  prisoner.  Total  nunr 
ber  killed,  6 ;  total  nnmber  wounded,  43 ;  total 
number  taken  prisoners,  21  ;  sum  total  of  losses,  70. 

As  we  look  over  this  roll  of  honor,  we  think  of 
those  noble  hearts  that  have  ceased  their  pulsations 
forever,  and  of  those  now  bleeding,  mangled  and 
torn,  lying  in  the  Corinth  hospitals.  In  the  years  to 
come,  when  the  tocsin  of  war  shall  have  been  hushed 
and  the  country  is  at  peace,  may  America's  great 
loyal  people  drop  tears  to  the  memory  of  those  fal- 
len heroes,  and  throw  a  fostering  arm  around  her 
maimed  and  crippled  warriors  whose  glorious  nobility 
will  be  traced  back  to  the  most  sanguinary  battle- 
fields of  the  nineteenth  century.  As  we  cast  our 
eyes  around  us,  we  are  wont  to  say,  oh  !  had  we  the 
picture  emblazoned  upon  canvass,  with  all  its  horri- 
fying details  and  gloomy  shadows ;  could  the  loyal 
people  but  discern  the  ardor,  the  industry,  the  exer- 
tion, the  valor,  the  iron  arm  of  strength  that  was 
raised  in  these  two  days  on  Corinth's  bloody  field ; 
could  they  but  feel  the  glow  of  patriotism  that 
warmed  the  hearts  and  brightened  the  eyes  of  those 
noble  ones,  who  went  down  to-day  on  this  crimson 
field ;  could  they  but  feel  the  inspiration  of  the  hour 
when  life  was  nothing  and  the  country  all,  they 
would  then  know  the  importance  of  the  hour  and 
believe  in  the  providence  of  God,  who  will  guide 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTNY.  107 

the  ship  of  state  into  a  prosperous  haven.  The  Sev- 
enth is  now  sleeping ;  they  are  weary ;  their  loss  has 
been  heavy.  Terrible  were  the  shafts  of  war  hurled 
against  them.  When  the  battle's  smoke  vanished 
away,  we  all  bowed  our  heads  in  silence,  when  we 
remembered  that  the  gallant  officer  and  Christian 
soldier,  Lieutenant  Henry  N.  Estabrook,  of  Com- 
pany E,  was  with  us  no  more,  but  was  sleeping  the 
eternal  sleep  on  Corinth's  field  of  glory. 

History  tells  of  many  brave  spirits ;  its  pages  are 
teeming  with  plaudits  for  its  daring  heroes.  But  the 
historian  has  never  moved  his  pen  to  eulogize  a  truer 
manhood  and  a  purer  spirit  than  was  embodied  in  the 
life  and  character  of  Lieutenant  Estabrook.  Pos- 
sessing an  excellence  of  character,  a  gentlemanly  de- 
meanor, and  high-toned  manhood,  he  won  for  him- 
self the  esteem  of  his  men  and  fellow  officers. 
Though  he  was  engaged  in  working,  war's  mad  ma- 
chine, it  never  cast  a  shadow  upon  his  Christian 
character.  His  mind  was  ever  dwelling  upon  things 
that  were  high,  grand  and  noble ;  spurning  that  which 
was  groveling  and  ignoble  as  beneath  the  dignity  of 
a  Christain  gentleman.  We  saw  him  when  he  fell; 
when  the  Union  army's  center  was  giving  way,  and 
while  waving  his  sword,  and  cheering  his  gallant  men, 
he  went  down  beneath  the  old  Union's  swaying 
flag,  and  as  his  life-blood  ebbed  away  upon  the 
altar  of  the  world's  last  hope,  a  smile  was  seen  to 
play  upon  his  face ;  it  was  a  smile  of  triumph,  a  smile 
of  sunshine  and  of  glory,  and  the  indistinct  language 
of  his  soul  was, "  Lo,  peace  is  here."  And  his  spirit 


108  HISTORY   OF   THE 

lied  from  this  field  of  blood  and  death,  home  to  God. 
A  truer  man,  a  better  commanding  officer,  a  braver 
soldier  than  Lieutenant  Estabrook  has  never  been 
stricken  down  on  America's  great  battle-fields.  No 
purer  spirit  ever  fluttered  for  entrance  at  the  windows 
of  heaven.  Though  he  is  dead,  his  name  will  ever 
live  in  the  memory  of  the  Seventh,  and  especially  in 
the  memory  of  his  noble  company,  who  stood  with 
him  until  he  fell  a  martyr  to  freedom.  The  faith- 
ful historian  will  write  his  name  among  the  crowned 
ones  of  immortality.  And  from  the  warrior's  grand 
calendar  no  ribbon,  nor  belt,  nor  jeweled  cross  will 
ever  bear  a  prouder  name  than  that  of  Lieutenant 
Henry  N.  Estabrook. 

Lieutenant  Brown,  regimental  quartermaster,  de- 
serves honorable  mention.  He  was  mortally  wounded 
on  the  first  day,  while  endeavoring  to  get  water  to 
his  famishing  and  suffering  regiment.  Stemming 
danger  and  death,  with  a  noble  determination  to 
work  his  way  to  where  the  smoke  of  battle  rolled 
around  the  Seventh,  he  fell  amid  the  raging  tempest, 
fell  in  the  performance  of  his  duty  to  his  country 
and  his  men.  Brave  soldiers  who  went  down  in 
this  great  battle,  you  have  won  for  yourselves  a 
name.  Peace  to  your  ashes.  May  the  patriot  pil- 
grims who  in  the  years  to  come  pass  this  way,  drop 
tears  of  grateful  remembrance  over  your  last  resting 
place,  and  may  they  feel  that  you  have  gathered 
laurels,  eternal  and  bright  as  a  pyramid  of  stars. 
Every  one,  officers  and  men,  played  well  their  part 
in  this  great  battle.  Ever  found  where  duty  called, 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  109 

each  one  is  worthy  of  honorable  mention — hence  we 
will  leave  Corinth  without  particularizing  any  one  of 
the  gallant  survivors. 

Sunday,  5th. — This  morning,  Rosecrans  with  his 
victorious  army  is  soon  in  motion,  thundering  in  the 
rear  of  the  retreating  and  shattered  foe.  Early  in 
the  morning  we  pass  over  the  battle-field  of  Friday. 
The  dead  lie  everywhere.  They  have  all  turned 
black;  the  scene  is  revolting  and  sickening.  The 
heart  sinks  within  as  the  eye  falls  upon  the  dread- 
ful, gloomy  picture.  Oh,  terrible  war  !  in  thy  wrath 
what  art  thou  doing  in  this  land  ?  What  sable  pic- 
tures art  thou  making  for  this  nation's  historic  page  ? 
The  columns  move  slowly  ;  the  roads  are  blockaded 
by  wagons  and  artillery — there  is  impatience  in  the 
army ;  it  is  eager  to  dash  on  in  its  power  and 
make  a  charge  against  the  rear  of  the  retreating  army. 
The  heat  is  intense ;  the  water  is  scarce ;  the  troops 
suffer.  "We  succeed  in  getting  about  eight  miles,  and 
go  into  camp  near  Chewalla,  Tennessee.  Rosecrans' 
victorious  army  is  weary  to-night — but  it  complains 
not.  Its  steps  are  firm,  and  there  is  power  felt  where 
they  fall.  Many  prisoners  have  been  taken  to-day 
and  sent  to  the  rear.  This  evening  Ben  Hesket,  of 
the  quartermaster's  department,  ever  on  the  alert, 
furnishes  the  regiment  with  a  fine  steer,  and  it  is  not 
long  until  it  is  served  up  in  the  very  latest  style,  and 
around  the  blazing  camp  fires  the  Seventh  sit  and 
satisfy  the  inner  man.  By  and  by  the  camp  fires 
go  out,  and  the  sturdy  Seventh  sinks  to  rest  upon 
the  bosom  of  mother  earth.  No  sound  breaks  the 


110  HISTORY   OF   THE 

stillness  except  the  measured  tramp  of  the  sentry 
as  he  paces  to  and  fro  upon  his  solitary  beat.  We 
will  now  pass  where  these  warriors  lie  sleeping. 
The  beams  of  the  moon  as  it  rides  among  the  stars 
are  resting  upon  their  upturned  faces*  Something 
tells  us  that  we  see  here  the  impress  of  nobility. 
They  may  be  dreaming  now ;  the  roaring  tempest, 
the  rush  of  men,  the  clang  of  steel,  the  groans  of  the 
vanquished,  and  the  shouts  of  the  triumphant,  may 
be  heard  by  them  while  the  stars  over  them  their 
nightly  vigils  keep. 

Monday,  Gth  — This  morning  about  three  o'clock 
General  Rosecrans  comes  riding  up  to  Gen.  Davies' 
headquarters,  ( which  is  near  the  Seventh's  camp, ) 
calling  out — "General !  General !  It  is  time  for 
reveille.  Get  the  Second  in  motion  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble," and  on  he  goes  dashing  to  the  front.  Long 
before  day  we  are  moving.  All  day  news  from  the 
front  is  cheering,  the  rebels  are  abandoning  every- 
thing and  fleeing  to  the  swamps  and  woods.  Hurl- 
but  engages  them  at  the  Hatchie  river,  disputing 
their  passage  by  fighting  a  desperate  battle,  which 
throws  the  whipped  rebels  in  still  greater  confusion, 
but  turning  they  succeed  in  crossing  six  ir'les  above 
the  Hatchie  bridge.  In  the  afternoon  we  halt,  make 
some  coffee  and  eat  our  breakfast ;  rather  late,  "but 
better  late  than  not  at  all."  After  which  our  regi- 
ment, with  a  section  of  artillery,  makes  a  scout  in  the 
Tuscumbia  bottom.  Finding  nothing  but  a  few  strag  - 
gling  rebels  we  return,  and  on  the  way  Colonel 
Rowett  halts  the  regiment  and  puts  it  into  a  sweet 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  HI 

potato  patch,  commanding  the  men  to  go  to  work  or 
he  would  buck  and  gag  them.  The  boys  dig  with  a 
gusto  and  their  haversacks  are  soon  filled,  when  the 
regiment  moves  on  and  takes  its  position  in  the 
division,  and  after  moving  across  the  Tuscumbia  we 
go  into  camp  upon  its  banks,  and  after  enjoying  a 
bountiful  supper  on  sweet  potatoes,  we  lie  down  to 
rest. 

Tuesday,  7th. — This  morning  we  again  move  early. 
We  cross  the  Hatchie  to-day,  entering  the  great  Mis- 
sissippi pineries.  We  find  it  a  barren  wilderness. 
All  day  we  keep  sending  prisoners  to  the  rear.  Noth- 
ing but  a  wreck  is  seen  on  the  war  path.  The  road 
is  lined  with  old,  broken  wagons,  tents,  cooking  uten- 
sils and  blown  up  caissons.  The  exhausted  rebels  fall 
by  the  way,  hundreds  are  being  picked  up  and  are 
found  in  a  pitiful  condition,  being  hall  starved;  but 
none  are  found  who  fell  in  love  with  Corinth,  and 
by  the  way  they  don't  like  to  talk  about  this  subject, 
or  at  least  they  don't  seem  inclined  to  introduce  it. 
About  dark  we  go  into  camp — the  boys  make  a  raid 
upon  a  flock  of  sheep  close  by,  and  the  Seventh  have 
mutton  chops  for  supper.  It  is  over  now  and  they 
are  cheerful,  and  many  a  soldier  sits  round  the  camp 
fires  enjoying  hugely  his  pipe  and  "  legal  tender.  " 
We  know  by  experience  that  it  is  an  earthly  heaven 
for  a  soldier  and  his  comrade  to  sit  by  the  camp  fire's 
glimmering  embers,  and  while  from  each  other's  pipe 
the  spiral  festoons  are  forming  in  air  to  talk  of  home 
and  the  halcyon  days  that  have  flown.  And  then, 
going  to  sleep,  dream  of  glory,  and  wreaths,  telling  of 


112  HISTORY   OF   THE 

fame  that  will  not  vanish,  but  wreaths  that  are  as 
fadeless  as  the  stars  in  the  canopy  above. 

Wednesday,  8th. — At  three,  A.  M.,  the  Seventh 
is  moving,  but  owing  to  the  intense  heat,  we  move 
slowly.  In  the  evening  we  camp  at  Hooker sville. 
The  regiment  feasts  to-night  on  chickens,  geese  and 
sweet  potatoes.  The  whole  country  is  being  foraged 
of  everything  that  affords  subsistence.  News  from 
the  front  informs  us  that  the  fleet-footed  rebels  are 
far  away.  We  are  now  fifty  miles  from  Corinth. 
Our  advance  is  at  Eipley.  We  are  told  this  evening 
that  the  mail  agent  will  return  to  Corinth  in  the 
morning  and  forward  a  northern  mail,  and  many 
a  weary  soldier  is  now  sitting  around  the  camp-fires 
writing  to  the  loved  ones. 

Thursday,  9th. — This  morning  we  remain  at  Rook- 
ersville,  and  the  probability  is  that  we  will  remain 
here  all  day.  This  is  indeed  a  wrecked  country,  be- 
ing almost  brought  to  a  state  of  starvation.  To- 
day, Frank  Morse,  commissary  sergeant,  takes  some 
meat  to  a  suffering  family  in  Rookersville,  when  the 
lady  replies,  "Oh,  dear !  this  is  Yankee  meat ;  I 
don't  know  whether  I  can  eat  Yankee  meat  or  not, 
I  fear  it  is  contaminated !  "  Thus  the  South's  ig- 
norant classes  have  been  deluded  by  wicked  and 
unprincipled  men.  This  evening  some  of  the  mag- 
nanimous Seventh  boys  give  bread  to  children  who 
are  crying  for  something  to  eat.  How  sad  a  sight 
it  is  to  see  innocence  suffering.  Oh !  wicked  men  ! 
why  did  you  fling  these  dark  curtains  around  this 
people?  Why  did  you  whelm  this  fair  sunny  south 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  113 

in  cruel,  desolating  war,  and  cause  your  beautiful 
innocent  ones  to  cry  for  bread  ? 

Friday,  10th. — This  morning  the  army  begins  to 
countermarch.  They  have  done  their  work — have 
routed  the  rebel  army  in  Mississippi.  The  morning 
has  been  cloudy.  At  noon  it  commences  to  rain-. 
At  one,  P.  M.,  our  division  moves  on  the  backward 
track  towards  Corinth.  The  road  is  muddy.  "We 
march  briskly,  and  succeed  in  making  nine  miles. 
Go  into  camp  near  Jonesborough.  To-night  it  is 
dark  and  gloomy.  A  drizzling  rain  is  falling.  But 
the  fence  rails  are  plenty,  and  the  camp  fires  are 
made  comfortable.  The  Seventh  succeed  in  getting 
some  straw  from  a  stable  close  by,  and  upon  this 
straw  under  their  rubber  blankets — notwithstanding 
a  stormy  wind  is  blowing  and  a  rain  falling — we 
sleep  soundly. 

Saturday,  llth — This  morning  we  move  early.  In- 
stead of  dust  we  now  have  mud.  To-day  we  cross 
the  Hatchie,  where  General  Hurlbut  confronted  the 
enemy  on  his  retreat.  By  the  roadside  we  see  the 
graves  of  many  brave  Union  soldiers.  May  the  waters 
of  the  beautiful  Hatchie  never  disturb  their  quiet  re- 
pose ;  but  may  they  move  on  their  winding  way,  and 
over  the  projecting  rocks  chant  requiems  to  the 
memory  of  the  noble  sleepers  by  her  side,  who  fell 
there  in  liberty's  great  struggle.  "We  pass  on  through 
the  pine  forests  and  cross  the  Tuscumbia  and  go  into 
camp  four  miles  beyond.  Being  much  worn  and  fa- 
tigued from  hard  marching,  rest  seems  sweet  to  the 
soldiers  to-night. 


114  HISTORY    OF   THE 

Saturday,  12th. — This  morning  we  are  soon  in 
line  and  moving.  The  regiment  marches  briskly. 
The  men  seem  anxious  to  get  back  to  Corinth,  which 
is  now  only  twelve  miles  distant.  "We  pass  the  bat- 
tle-ground, where  the  old  Second  Division  so  gallant- 
ly stemmed  the  storm  on  the  third  of  October.  The 
fields  present  one  vast  graveyard.  We  pass  through 
Corinth  at  two  P.  M.,  and  arrive  in  camp  at  three 
o'clock,  all  tired  and  foot-sore.  We  had  a  hard 
tramp  down  in  Mississippi ;  but  it  is  over  now,  and 
all  seem  glad  to  know  that  they  went  down  there 
with  the  old  flag  and  saw  it  swung  in  threatening 
grandeur,  along  the  rear  of  the  the  shattered  rebel 
army.  After  washing  ourselves  and  getting  on  clean 
shirts  (discarding  those  that  can  now  "go  it  alone") 
and  after  eating  our  supper  prepared  by  the  con- 
valescents, we  feel  happy,  and  looking  around  us  we 
see  many  smiles  playing  upon  the  soldiers'  faces,  as 
they  recount  to  each  other  the  incidents  of  the  last 
ten  days — incidents  that  will  be  sung  in  song  and  re- 
hearsed in  story  because  of  their  glory  and  their  ter- 
ror. Since  returning  to  Corinth  we  have  been  pe- 
rusing the  journal  of  a  rebel  officer  who  was  taken 
prisoner  in  the  charge  upon  Fort  Robinett,  from 
which  we  take  the  following  extract : 

"  Saturday,  October  4th. — An  eventful  day.  At 
four  o'clock  A.  M.,  our  brigade  was  ordered  to  the 
left,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  and  halted,  where  we 
deployed  forward  a  skirmish  line  which  kept  up  a 
constant  fire.  A  battery  in  front  of  the  right  of  our 
regiment  opened  briskly  and  the  enemy  replied  in 
the  same  manner.  The  cannonading  was  heavy  for 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  115 

an  hour  and  a  half.  Our  regiment  laid  down 
and  stood  it  nobly.  The  shell  flew  thick  and  fast, 
cutting  off  large  limbs  and  filling  the  air  with  frag- 
ments. Many  burst  within  twenty  feet  of  me.  It 
was  extremely  unpleasant — and  I  prayed  for  forgive- 
ness of  my  sins,  and  made  up  my  mind  to  go  through 
the  tempest.  Colonel  Sawyer  called  for  volunteers 
to  assist  the  Second  Texas  skirmishers.  I  volunteer- 
ed and  took  my  company.  Captain  Perkins  and 
Lieutenant  Munson  being  taken  sick  directly  after 
the  severe  bombardment,  I  led  the  company  all  the 
time.  I  went  skirmishing  at  seven-and-a-half  and 
returned  at  nine-and-a-half.  Two  of  Captain  Fos- 
ter's men  were  killed,  but  none  of  ours.  The  enemy 
fired  very  fast.  We  got  behind  trees  and  logs,  and 
the  way  bullets  did  fly  was  unpleasant  to  see.  I 
think  twenty  must  have  passed  within  a  few  feet  of 
me  humming  prettily.  Shells  tore  off  large  limbs,  and 
splinters  struck  my  tree  several  times.  We  could 
only  move  from  tree  to  tree  by  bending  low  to  the 
ground  while  moving.  Oh  !  how  anxiously  I  watch- 
ed for  the  bursting  of  the  shells  when  the  heavy  roar 
proclaimed  their  coming.  At  nine-and-a-half  o'clock 
1  had  my  skirmishers  relieved  by  Captain  Rouser's 
company.  Sent  my  men  to  their  places,  and  went 
behind  a  log  with  Major  Furger.  At  ten  o'clock  the 
fight  opened  in  earnest ;  this  was  on  the  right.  In  a 
few  moments  the  left  went  into  action  in  splendid 
style.  At  fifteen  minutes  past  ten  Colonel  Kogers 
came  by  us  only  saying,  "Alabama  forces!"  Our 
regiment  with  the  brigade  rose  unmindful  of  shell  or 
shot  and  moved  forward,  marching  about  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  yards,  and  rising  the  crest  of  a  hill,  the 
whole  of  Corinth  with  its  enormous  fortifications 
burst  upon  our  view.  The  United  States  flag  was 
floating  over  the  forts  and  in  the  town.  We  were 
now  met  by  a  perfect  storm  of  grape,  canister,  can- 


116  HISTORY    OF    THE 

non  and  minie  balls.  Oh!  God,  I  never  saw  the 
like.  The  men  fell  like  grass.  Giving  one  tremen- 
dous cheer  we  dashed  to  the  bottom  of  the  hill  on 
which  the  fortifications  are  situated.  Here  we  found 
every  foot  of  ground  covered  with  large  trees  and 
brusn.  Looking  to  the  right  or  left  I  saw  several 
brigades  charging  at  the  same  time — what  a  sight ! 
I  saw  men  running  at  full  speed,  stop  suddenly  and 
fall  on  their  faces,  with  their  brains  scattered  all 
around ;  others  with  legs  or  arms  cut  off.  I  gave 
myself  to  God,  and  got  ahead  of  my  company.  The 
ground  was  literally  strewed  with  mangled  corpses. 
One  ball  passed  through  my  pants  and  cut  twigs  close 
by  me.  It  seemed  that  by  holding  out  my  hand  I  could 
have  caught  a  dozen  bullets.  We  pushed  forward, 
marching  as  it  were  into  the  mouths  of  the  cannon.  I 
rushed  to  the  ditch  of  the  fort — I  jumped  into  it, 
and  half  way  up  the  sloping  wall ;  the  enemy  were 
only  two  or  three  feet  from  me  on  the  other  side, 
but  could  not  shoot  us  for  fear  of  being  shot  them- 
selves. Our  men  were  in  the  same  predicament. 
Only  five  or  six  were  on  the  wall,  and  thirty  or  forty 
in  and  around  the  ditch.  Catesby,  my  companion,  is 
on  the  wall  beside  me.  A  man  within  two  feet  of 
me  put  his  head  cautiously  up  to  shoot  into  the  fort, 
but  suddenly  dropped  his  musket,  and  his  brains 
were  dashed  in  a  stream  over  my  fine  coat,  which  I 
had  in  my  arms.  Several  were  killed  and  rolled 
down  the  embankment.  This  was  done  by  a  regi- 
ment of  Yankees.  Some  of  our  men  cried  "put  down 
the  flag,"  when  it  was  lowered  or  shot  into  the  ditch. 
Oh !  we  were  butchered  like  dogs — for  we  were  not 
supported.  Some  one  placed  a  white  handkerchief 
on  Sergeant  Buck's  musket,  and  he  took  it  to  a  port 
hole,  but  the  Yankees  snatched  it  off  and  took  Tiim 
prisoner.  The  men  were  falling  ten  at  a  time.  The 
ditch  being  full,  and  finding  that  we  had  no  chance, 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    LNTANTKY. 

we,  the  survivors,  tried  to  save  ourselves  as  best  we 
could.  I  was  so  far  up  I  could  not  get  off  quickly ;  I 
do  not  recollect  seeing  Catesby  after  this,  but  think 
he  got  off  before.  I  trust  in  "God  he  has.  I  and 
Captain  Foster  started  together,  and  the  air  was  liter- 
ally filled  with  hissing  balls.  I  got  about  twenty 
steps  as  quick  as  I  could,  about  a  dozen  being  killed 
in  that  distance.  I  fell  down  and  crawled  behind  a 
large  stump.  Just  then  I  saw  poor  Foster  throw  up 
his  hands  and  saying  "Oh!  my  God!"  jumped  about 
two  feet  off  the  ground  and  fell  on  his  face.  The  top 
of  his  head  seemed  to  cave  in,  aud  the  blood  spirted 
straight  up  several  feet.  I  could  see  men  falling  as 
they  attempted  to  run ;  some  with  their  heads  blown 
to  pieces  and  others  with  the  blood  streaming  from 
their  backs.  Oh !  it  was  horrible.  One  poor  fellow 
being  almost  on  me,  told  me  his  name,  and  asked  me 
to  take  his  pocketbook,  and  if  I  escaped  to  give  it  to 
his  mother  and  tell  her  that  he  died  like  a  brave 
man.  I  asked  him  if  he  was  a  Christian ;  he  said  he 
was.  I  asked  him  to  pray,  which  he  did  with  the 
cannons  thundering  a  deadly  accompaniment.  Poor 
fellow,  I  forgot  his  request  in  the  excitement.  His 
legs  were  literally  cut  to  pieces.  As  our  men  retreated 
the  enemy  poured  into  us  a  terrific  fire.  I  was  hardly 
thirty  feet  from  the  mouths  of  the  cannons.  Minie 
balls  filled  the  stump  I  was  behind,  and  the  shells 
burst  within  three  or  four  feet  from  me ;  one  was  so 
near  it  struck  me  and  burnt  my  face  with  powder. 
The  grape-shot  knocked  large  pieces  from  my  stump ; 
it  was  gradually  wearing  away.  I  endured  the  hor- 
rors of  death  here  for  one-half  hour.  Our  troops 
formed  in  line  and  advanced  a  second  time  to  the 
charge  with  cheers,  but  began  firing  when  about  half 
way,  and  I  had  to  endure  it  all.  I  feigned  death.  I 
was  between  our  own  and  the  enemy's  fire.  In  the 
first  charge  our  men  did  not  fire  a  gun,  but  charged 


118  HISTORY    OF    THE 

across  the  ditch  and  up  to  the  very  mouths  of  the 
cannons.  But  our  boys  were  shot  down  like  hogs; 
they  could  not  stand  the  storms  that  came  from  the 
Yankees'  thundering  guns.  I  had  no  chance  what- 
ever. All  around  me  were  surrendering.  I  could 
do  no  better  than  follow  suit ;  but  thank  God  I  am 
unhurt ;  nothing  but  a  merciful  providence  saved  me." 

This  is  a  rebel  soldier's  discourse  about  the  great 
battle  of  Corinth  and  especially  the  charging  of  Fort 
Robinett.  Let  the  loyal  people  look  at  the  above 
pen  picture,  and  there  see  how  terrible  was  the  war 
for  the  Union,  and  with  what  mad  desperation  the 
rebels  struggled  for  dominion. 

Monday,  13th. — This  morning  the  Seventh  is 
busy  cleaning  and  scouring  up  the  guns,  which  is 
the  soldier's  first  duty  after  a  battle  is  over.  Troops 
keep  coming  in  from  the  front  all  day.  Orders  are 
now  issued  to  the  effect  that  the  Division  is  to  be 
newly  brigaded,  and  in  consequence  we  move  our 
camp  this  evening  close  to  General  McArthur's 
headquarters.  We  do  not  pitch  our  tents,  but  spread 
them  down  upon  the  ground  and  sleep  upon  them 
during  the  night. 

Tuesday,  14th. — This  morning  our  camp  is  staked 
off,  and  we  take  our  position  and  stake  our  tents. 
Our  brigade  now  Consists  of  the  Seventh,  Fiftieth 
and  Fifty-seventh  Illinois,  and  the  Twenty-second 
and  Eighty-first  Ohio,  commanded  by  Colonel  A.  J. 
Babcock,  of  the  Seventh.  There  is  a  commotion 
in  the  Second  Division.  The  Cincinnati  Commercial, 
with  "W.  D.  B.'s  lying  communication,  villifying 
and  basely  misrepresenting  the  heroic  Second  Divi- 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  119 

sion,  who  so  bravely  stemmed  the  current  of  battle 
on  Corinth's  sanguinary  field,  has  been  circulated. 
The  heroes  of  Belmont,  Fort  Donelson  and  Shiloh  rage 
to-night,  and  adding  still  more  to  this  correspondent's 
villification,  comes  the  congratulatory  address  of 
General  Rosecrans,  with  the  following  remarkable 
passage :  "  I  desire  especially  to  offer  my  thanks  to 
General  Davies  and  his  Division,  whose  magnificent 
fighting  on  the  third  more  than  atones  for  all  that 
was  lacking  on  the  fourth."  As  a  defense,  we 
will  simply  transcribe  the  circular  of  "Justice," 
written  by  a  soldier  of  the  Second  Division,  which 
gives  a  clear  exposition  of  facts  relative  to  the  history 
of  the  Second  Division  in  the  two  day's  battle  at 
Corinth  : 

"They  did  fail  to  do  what  they  should  have  done, 
namely :  there  were  captured  by  the  whole  army  of 
Rosecrans,  two  thousand  two  hundred  and  sixty-eight 
prisoners,  and  the  Second  Division  (Davies'),  cap- 
tured only  one  thousand  four  hundred  and  sixty  of 
that  number,  mostly  on  the  fourth;  they  should  have 
captured  the  whole.  Then  again  the  whole  army 
captured  fourteen  stand  of  colors ;  Davies'  Division 
captured  ten  of  these  on  the  fourth ;  they  should 
have  taken  all!  They  fought  Yan  Dorn  and  Price's 
army  on  the  third,  alone,  and  whipped  them.  This 
was  right.  On  the  fourth  they  fought  with  others 
and  whipped  the  enemy ;  they  should  have  done  it 
alone  and  would  have  done  so  but  for  the  giving 
may  of  troops  on  the  right  flank — names  I  will  not 
mentiojL  ISTow,  the  Second  Division  well  know  they 
should  have  done  all  these  things  alone,  and  they 
must  throw  themselves  upon  the  clemency  of  a  for- 
giving country.  The  throbbing  patriot's  heart  will 


120  HISTORY    OF   THE 

have  some  sympathy,  and  the  facts  will  atone  for  the 
short-comings  of  the  Second  Division  when  they  are 
told  that  they,  went  into  action  on  the  third  with  two 
thousand  nine  hundred  and  twenty-five  officers  and 
men,  the  balance  of  the  Division  being  detailed  in 
and  about  Corinth.  Loss,  seventy-five  officers;  total 
loss,  one  thousand  and  four.  Forgive  these  "  lack- 
ing and  erring  boys  of  the  Northwest,  for  next  time 
they  will  try  and  do  better.'7 

« 
We   remain    in    this   camp,   uninterrupted    until 

November  the  2d,  when  we  are  ordered  inside  the 
fortifications,  the  greater  portion  of  the  troops  hav- 
ing left  on  an  expedition  southward.  It  is  said 
our  Division  will  remain  and  garrison  Corinth  for 
awhile.  Our  regiment  is  now  camped  close  to  Cor- 
nth,  on  the  old  battle  field  of  October  the  4th,  and 
the  probability  is  that  we  will  remain  here  for  some 
time,  and  in  view  of  these  indications,  the  Seventh  is 
soon  at  work  fixing  up  its  quarters,  building  chim- 
neys and  fire  places ;  and  making  general  prepara- 
tions for  the  approaching  cold  weather.  The  Seventh 
having  its  complement  of  mechanics,  it  is  not  long 
until  the  quarters  are  made  quite  comfortable,  and 
as  we  look  along  the  officers'  line  this  evening  we 
behold  a  neat  row  of  chimneys,  the  work  of  the 
genial  and  accommodating  "General  Grant"  of 
Company  K.  Of  course  the  officers  will  all  vote 
the  General  their  hearty  thanks. 

November  14th. — To-day  the  resignation  of  Cap- 
tain C.  W.  Holden  of  Company  "  H  "  take*  effect. 
The  remainder  of  this  month  we  remain  quietly  in 
camp. 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  121 

December  1st, — To-day  Lieutenant  J.  L.  King 
having  recovered  from  his  wound  received  in  the 
battle  of  Corinth,  returns  to  the  Regiment  and 
assumes  command  of  his  company.  During  these 
days  we  find  nothing  to  note ;  everything  is  quiet 
until  December  17th  when  the  military  is  discovered 
to  be  unusually  active,  aids  and  orderlies  moving  to 
and  fro  giving  orders  and  carrying  dispatches.  Being 
so  long  quiet  in  camp  we  surmise  we  will  move  soon 
So  may  it  be ;  for  all  are  eager  to  march  forth 
again  upon  the  war  path. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  march  into  West  Tennessee — Arrival  at  Purdy — Arrival  at 
Lexington — Arrival  at  Pinch — The  rebels  withdraw  from  Jack- 
son— The  march  to  Henderson — Take  the  cars  for  Corinth — 
Our  line  of  communications  cut — Foraging — The  close  of  1862 
— The  new  year — Lincoln's  proclamation — The  railroad  still 
cut — Arrival  of  the  mail  by  Pony  express — Rations  running 
short — The  troops  compelled  to  subsist  on  corn — Communica- 
tion open — Full  rations — The  conversation  of  two  sentries — The 
non-arrival  of  mails — The  cold  weather — The  comments  of  the 
soldiers  on  modern  democracy — Arrival  of  the  mails — Soldiers 
letters — Their  welcome — The  game  cocks — Trip  to  Hamburg 
landing— The  heavy  duty  of  the  regiment — Corinth  a  Gibralter 
—Meeting  of  Illinois  officers  in  Music  Hall,  Corinth— The  pass- 
ing of  resolutions  relative  to  the  vigorous  prosecution  of  the 
war — The  office  of  Chaplain — Trip  to  Davenport  Mills — 
Resignation  of  Colonel  Babcock — Celebration  of  the  first  anni- 
versary of  the  battle  of  Shiloh. 

December  18th,  1862. — To-day,  10  o'clock  P.  M., 
move  from  Corinth  in  the  direction  of  Purdy,  Ten- 
nessee. The  whole  available  force  from  the  garrison 
under  the  command  of  General  G.  M.  Dodge,  is  on 
the  move.  We  march  briskly.  It  seems  to  be  a 
forced  march.  The  night  is  dark ;  no  moon  shoots 
forth  its  arrows  of  light.  The  Seventh  soon  becomes 
sleepy  and  tired,  and  many  of  the  men  fall  by  the 
way  perfectly  exhausted.  Three  o'clock  in  the 
morning  we  come  to  a  halt.  Those  who  are  not 
too  much  exhausted  build  camp  fires  and  prepare 
their  breakfast,  but  the  majority  of  the  men  being 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  123 

so  weary,  drop  down  upon  the  ground  and  are  soon 
slumbering.  At  the  early  dawn  of  day  all  are 
aroused  and  the  Seventh's  weary  men  are  compelled 
to  move  forward  without  any  breakfast.  We  arrive 
at  Purely,  Tennessee,  by  noon,  where  we  halt,  eat  our 
dinners,  and  steal  a  few  hours  for  sleep.  This  is  a 
beautiful  inland  town,  situated  in  West  Tennessee, 
thirty  miles  northwest  from  Corinth,  and  four  miles 
from  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad.  The  drums 
now  beat,  and  again  the  regiment  is  formed  in  line. 
Rumors  are  now  rife  that  there  is  a  fight  on  hand 
somewhere  in  West  Tennessee.  We  move  forward 
twelve  miles,  but  finding  no  enemy,  we  go  into  camp 
for  the  night.  The  soldier  is  weary  this  evening, 
foot-sore  and  hungry. 

Saturday,  20th. — This  morning  we  move  forward 
at  9  o'clock,  and  march  briskly  all  day.  By  the 
road-side  many  a  weary,  foot-sore  soldier  falls.  We 
are  now  in  the  rear  of  Jackson,  Tennessee,  a  town 
on  the  Mobile  &  Ohio  Railroad,  which  the  rebels,  it 
is  said,  are  trying  to  circumvent. 

Sunday,  21st. — We  are  this  morning  fifty  miles 
from  Corinth  in  an  enemy's  country.  Our  command 
numbers  about  two  thousand.  We  are  running 
some  risk  in  moving  so  far  away  from  support,  but 
our  leader  has  in  his  composition  the  "sand"  and  the 
"steel,"  and  in  him  we  trust.  We  move  from  camp 
on  quick  time,  the  spirits  of  the  men  are  up ;  all 
anticipate  a  fray  with  Forrest  and  his  West  Tennessee 
raiders.  By  noon  we  arrive  at  Lexington,  but  find 
no  enemy  as  we  expected.  We  halt  here  and  eat 


124  HISTORY    OF   THE 

our  dinner,  after  which  we  move  on  and  go  into 
camp  for  the  night  at  Pinch. 

Monday,  22d. — This  morning  General  Dodge  dis- 
covers that  the  enemy  has  evaded  him  by  withdraw- 
ing hastily  from  Jackson  and  his  advance.  The 
command  being  nearly  all  foot-sore  from  hard  march- 
ing, the  General  finding  it  impossible  to  pursue  the 
enemy  any  farther,  takes  the  head  of  the  column, 
and  leads  towards  Henderson,  Tennessee,  a  station 
on  the  Mobile  &  Ohio  Railroad,  twenty-five  miles 
distant.  We  make  a  hard  day's  inarch,  and  go  into 
camp  for  the  night,  five  miles  from  Henderson.  Not- 
withstanding the  soldiers  are  weary  and  foot-sore, 
they  will  forage — will  trespass  upon  plantations — 
will  enter  smoke-houses — make  raids  upon  hen-roosts, 
and  demonstrations  in  barn-yards,  much  to  the  dis- 
comfiture of  the  presumingly  innocent  natives, 
whose  maledictions  are  no  doubt  falling  fast  upon 
the  heads  of  the  "invaders."  From  the  superabun- 
dance of  chickens  and  geese  heads  strewn  around 
in  the  Seventh's  camp,  we  are  forced  to  conclude 
that  they  have  a  just  cause  for  giving  vent  to  their 
aggravated  feelings. 

Tuesday,  23d. — This  morning  we  cross  Beach 
river,  and  march  into  Henderson.  We  are  told  that 
from  here  we  will  proceed  by  rail  to  Corinth.  Never 
was  news  so  gladly  received  as  was  this  by  the  Sev- 
enth's weary  members.  The  First  Brigade,  Gen- 
eral Sweeny,  receive  transportation  immediately  for 
Corinth,  thirty  miles  distant.  And  it  falls  to  our 
lot  to  remain  at  Henderson  until  the  train  returns. 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  125 

It  returns  at  2  o'clock  and  we  are  soon  rolling  over 
the  road  towards  Corinth.  At  5  o'clock  p.  M.  we 
enter  our  old  camp.  The  railroads  running  from 
Corinth  to  Memphis  and  Columbus  are  now  cut, 
closing  our  communications  with  the  government, 
and  in  consequence  the  command  has  only  half 
rations  issued  to  them. 

Every  day  is  now  dawning  with  Corinth  isolated 
as  it  were  from  the  rest  of  the  world,  with  no  mail, 
no  news,  and  only  half  rations,  but  the  soldiers  are 
in  fine  spirits,  and  seem  to  feel  indifferent  concern- 
ing the  situation.  Forrest  and  his  raiders  seem  to 
have  full  sway  in  the  direction  of  Memphis  and 
Columbus.  We  miss  the  engine's  shrill  whistle,  and 
above  all  we  miss  its  ponderous  load.  But  as  we 
look  among  these  stalwart  men  this  evening,  we  are 
inclined  to  think  that  the  enemy's  present  mode  of 
warfare,  though  a  legitimate  one,  will  not  annihilate 
this  army.  The  voice  of  the  Seventh  is,  we  will 
smile  to  see  them  starve  us,  though  we  are  in  an 
.almost  destitute  country. 

Tuesday,  30th. — This  morning  Companies  H  and 
I,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Johnson,  are  sent 
on  a  foraging  expedition,  taking  with  them  the 
Division  train.  They  go  within  six  miles  of  Purdy, 
making  a  general  sweep  of  every  thing  that  would 
in  any  way  serve  to  satisfy  the  "inner"  of  both  man 
and  mule. 

Wednesday  morning  they  start  back  with  the 
train  loaded  down  with  corn,  hogs,  sheep,  chickens, 
and  geese,  and  arrive  in  camp  about  noon.  The  Sev- 


126  HISTOKY   OF   THE 

enth  is  well  supplied,  having  plenty  to  eat  now 
though  they  are  minus  the  half  rations  due  from 
the  government,  and  we  conclude  to-night  "that  Mr. 
rebels  are  robbing  Paul  to  pay  Peter." 

Another  year  is  now  closing — another  child  of 
time  passing  away.  Soon  turbulent  and  boisterous 
sixty-two's  death-knell  will  be  sounded,  and  while 
she  is  slowly  dying,  we  trace  its  history,  and  behold 
that  great  events  have  transpired  since  it  first  walked 
forth.  America  has  been  in  commotion,  a  great 
people  engaged  in  civil  strife.  The  force  of  law 
and  the  power  of  republican  freedom  have  been 
arrayed  against  ignorance,  rebellion,  and  mad  ambi- 
tion. May  this  force  and  power  in  its  mighty  march 
sweep  from  this  land  every  vestage  of  marshaled 
opposition  ere  the  death  doom  of  another  year  is 
spoken.  Would  that  this  year  of  war  would  roll  out 
and  a  year  of  peace  come  in  ;  that  no  more  heca- 
tombs of  loyal  dead  might  be  reared  in  the  south- 
land ;  but  that  harmony,  quiet  and  fraternal  love 
might  reign  where  the  beautiful  magnolia  and  cit- 
ron bloom. 

Thursday,  January  1st,  1863. — The  new  year 
dawns  peacefully,  but  not  with  a  nation  at  peace. 
1862  has  been  a  year  of  blood,  and  1863  may  be 
likewise,  for  the  loyal  soldiers,  with  their  bayonets, 
stand  beneath  the  Union's  battle-flag,  all  over  this 
land,  eager  to  follow  it  down  where  treason  lifts  its 
hydra-head  ready  to  engage  in  the  carnival  of  blood. 
To-day  we  are  reminded  that  Lincoln's  great  procla- 
mati  takes  effect.  A  chained  race  is  declared  free. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  127 

The  Seventh's  boys  are  now  discussing  the  expedi- 
ency of  this  proclamation.  We  discover  that  it  has 
its  advocates  and  its  opposers  among  the  members 
of  the  Seventh,  some  being  fanatical  in  its  praise, 
and  others  bitter  in  its  denunciation,  but -the  time 
will  come  when  all  will  view  this  proclamation  as 
the  most  powerful  blow  against  the  slave-holder's 
rebellion. 

January  5th. — This  morning  a  pleasing  smile  is  seen 
to  play  upon  every  face  after  receiving  the  intelli- 
gence that  a  mail  will  arrive  from  the  north  to-day. 
Every  one  seems  anxious  to  hear  from  home — from 
the  arnry  before  Kichmond — from  Burnside — from 
Congress,  and  of  the  great  things  talked  of  there. 
In  fact  we  are  anxious  to  hear  of  what  is  going  on 
generally  in  the  free  outside  world.  We  have  now 
been  cut  off  from  communications  for  two  weeks  ; 
if  not  opened  soon  half  rations  will  all  be  consumed. 
About  twilight  this  evening  we  hear  the  cars  coming 
and  shouts  from  the  camps  rend  the  air,  but  oh !  it 
is  not  a  through  train,  only  from  Jackson.  Although 
disappointed  in  not  receiving  supplies,  the  weary, 
anxious,  waiting  hearts  are  gladdened  by  the  arrival 
of  the  mail,  which  was  conveyed  part  of  the  way  by 
Pony  express.  It  is  indeed  interesting  to  see  with 
what  eagerness  the  soldiers  crowd  around  the  "P.  O." 
The  mail  is  now  distributed,  and'  the  soldiers  can  be 
seen  in  every  direction  perusing  the  home  missives. 
All  feel  cheerful  after  reading  these  words  that  come, 
from  the  loyal  hearts  of  the  loved  ones  at  home. 

Wednesday,  7th. — Last  night  a  train  arrived  from 


128  HISTORY   OF   THE 

Memphis  bringing  provisions,  but  not  sufficient  to 
relieve  us  from  halt  rations.  Things  look  gloomy 
in  and  around  Corinth.  The  troops  are  compelled 
to  subsist  in  part  on  corn  obtained  by  the  foraging 
parties.  The  Seventh  is  now  shelling  corn  for  the 
purpose  of  making  hominy.  Should  the  rebels  make 
a  raid  now  upon  Corinth  (for  which  the  soldiers  a  1 
hope  and  pray)  we  dare  say  they  would  be  met  in  a 
becoming  manner,  and  somebody  would  be  made 
sick — we  are  strongly  of  the  opinion  that  it  would  not 
be  the  Union  soldiers. 

Thursday,  January  8th — The  troops  still  on  half 
rations,  and  a  very  small  half  at  that.  A  few  more 
days,  and  we  anticipate  that  we  shall  be  nearly 
starved  out.  Still  no  news  comes  this  way  from  the 
armies ;  but  we  hope  the  ti.de  of  battle  is  rolling 
with  the  old  flag  aloft. 

Friday,  9th. — This  morning  the  boys  are  busy 
shelling  corn  to  make  hominy,  and  while  we  walk 
through  the  camp  of  the  Seventh  we  are  reminded 
of  the  stories  told  of  our  revolutionary  fathers,  in 
their  struggle  for  independence. 

Saturday,  10th. — To-day.some  of  the  Seventh  boys 
return  from  a  foraging  expedition  in  West  Tennessee, 
bringing  in  some  hogs,  sheep,  chickens  and  geese, 
making  quite  a  welcome  addition  to  our  scanty  sup- 
plies. The  boys  are  again  becoming  very  anxious 
for  a  mail.  How  long  will  they  yet  be  compelled  to 
wait  ?  But  no  doubt  there  are  more  anxious  hearts 
in  our  far  off  northern  homes. 

Sunday,  llth,  dawns,  and  with  it  comes  full  rations. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  129 

The  trains  are  now  running  from  Memphis  to  Grand 
Junction,  and  thence  to  Jackson,  and  to  Corinth. 
In  this  way  we  receive  supplies,  and  how  welcomely 
they  are  received  by  the  hungry  troops  in  and  around 
Corinth.  May  the  troops  guarding  the  railroads  be 
more  vigilant  in  the  future,  and  never  more  pull 
down  the  old  flag  and  hoist  the  flag  of  truce ! 

Monday,  12th. — To-day  supplies  continue  to  arrive 
by  the  way  of  Grand  Junction  and  Jackson ;  but 
no  mail  arrives.  How  anxious  and  lonely  the  sol- 
diers are  becoming  here  in  this  secluded  part  of  the 
world,  without  any  mail  or  any  news  from  the  north. 
But  we  have  a  good  time  for  abstraction,  and  a 
good  time  for  the  study  of  human  nature.  Man  can- 
not find  a  more  extensive  scope  for  its  study  than 
here  in  the  camp  and  field.  If  man  has  faults  he 
will  show  them ;  if  he  has  virtues  they  will  shine 
like  the  beauty  and  splendor  of  the  noon-day  sun  ; 
and  those  manly  virtues  that  go  to  beautify  the  char- 
acter of  man,  are  seen  shedding  their  light  all 
around  us.  But  we  believe  that  here,  more  than 
in  any  other  place,  man  can  be  persuaded  of  the 
truthfulness  of  the  doctrine  of  human  depravity  ;  and 
at  the  same  time  can  he  be  persuaded  of  the  beauty 
of  human  redemption. 

Tuesday,  13th. — This  morning  is  beautiful  and 
pleasant,  much  like  a  happy  June  morning  in  Illi- 
nois. In  the  evening  we  have  brigade  drill ;  the 
boys  do  not  relish  it  much  just  now,  not  having  had 
full  rations  long  enough. 

The  garrison  troops  are  now  foraging  on  an  exten- 
6* 


130  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

sive  scale ;  parties  are  sent  out  daily,  who  rake  the 
country  of  everything  in  the  subsistence  line.  "Con- 
fiscation and  extermination"  is  our  motto.  Anything 
to  weaken  this  inhuman  rebellion. 

Wednesday,  14th. — A  cold  drizzly  rain  has  been 
falling  all  day.  The  sentry  will  have  a  dreary  time 
to-night  for  the  howling  winds  are  piercing.  It 
is  now  dark  and  the  ground  is  all  saturated  with 
water  (shivering  winds,  and  chill  whistlings.)  Hol- 
low coughs  and  long  sighs  are  heard  as  the  sentinels 
pace  their  lonely  beats.  "  Quiet  tramping  is  now  heard, 
and  amid  the  dense  darkness  two  comrades  meet. 
We  see  where  they  stand  by  the  falling  of  the  sparks 
from  their  pipes.  They  are  talking  now  about  the 
news  from  Stone  Eiver,  and  the  Kappahannock,  and 
of  the  flow  "of  blood  that  has  made  red  their  brew- 
ing waters.  They,  stop — they  are  silent — but  again 
the  stillness  is  broken  ;  says  one,  "John,  I  received 
by  the  last  mail  a  letter  from  home,  and  they  tell 
me  that  they  trail  the  flag  up  there — that  they 
shoot  down  the  furloughed  soldiers,  and  insult  our 
wounded  comrades,  that  our  father's  lives  have  been 
threatened  because  they  have  hearts  that  go  out 
and  take  in  the  army  and  navy,  because  they  have 
sons  who  wear  the  blue,  fighting  for  the  flag  and 
union."  As  these  sentries  turned  on  their  way,  we 
imagine  that  on  that  dreary  path  along  where  the 
winter  winds  kept  sighing  mournfully,  tears  fell, 
and  their  hearts  were  sad,  because  they  knew  that 
in  the  north,  around  their  father's  homes,  where 
once  they  looked  in  the  innocence  of  childhood, 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  131 

could  be  found  so  many  who  would  smile  to  see  the 
old  flag  go  down  and  Liberty's  cradle  rock  no  more. 

Thursday,  15th. — This  morning  the  lowering 
clouds  shut  out  the  sun's  genial  rays,  as  if  to  pro- 
long the  night.  It  is  cold  and  stormy.  It  has  ceased 
raining,  and  is  now  snowing.  We  shall  receive  no 
news — all  is  lonely.  "A  kingdom  for  a  mail" — for 
one  ray  of  light  from  the  civilized  world.  Hark ! 
the  Locomotive  is  sending  its  signal,  but  its  sound 
is  soon  lost  in  the  shouts  from  the  soldiers — alas  !  it 
brings  no  mail,  but  sad  disappointment. 

Friday,  16th. — This  morning  the  boys  are  seen 
wending  their  way  to  the  timber  to  chop  wood.  It 
is  very  cold,  and  the  boys  are  kept  busy  getting  fuel. 
It  snows  all  day,  and  except  those  detailed  to  get 
wood,  the  boys  keep  close  around  the  camp  fires, 
busily  engaged  at  something.  Some  talking  of  home 
and  friends,  some  about  the  armies,  and  others  about 
the  Emancipation  Proclamation.  Some  are  perusing 
old  Waverlys,  and  others  amusing  k  themselves  with 
Harper's  cuts,  one  has  a  volume  of  Shakspeare  with 
his  mind  following  intently  the  dramatic  play  ot 
Edward  the  "three  times."  We  are  wondering 
now,  how  the  leaders  of  northern  democracy  would 
feel  could  they  hear  the  comments  made,  and  the 
anathemas  heaped  upon  their  devoted  heads  by  the 
soldiers,  sitting  around  the  winter  camp-fires  to-night 
in  Mississippi.  We  are  of  the  opinion  that  they 
would  not  consider  themselves  very  much  flattered. 

Saturday,  17th. — Still  cold  and  blustery.  No 
mail — no  papers — no  light.  All  dark,  there  is  cer- 
tainly something  wrong. 


132  HISTORY   OF   THE 

Sunday,  18th. — This  morning  we  rind  the  clouds 
have  disappeared,  and  the  sun  is  shining  brightly  on 
the  carpet  of  snow  that  mantles  the  eartli,  but  it  is 
cold,  and  the  soldiers  are  compelled  to  keep  close 
around  the  camp  fires*  Such  weather  was  never 
known  in  this  climate,  and  the  citizens  say  that  it 
is  caused  by  the  Yankee's  superhuman  agency.  This 
evening  it  is  all  mud — the  snow  did  not  tarry  long. 
And  yet  the  cry  goes  forth  fromthe  "P.  O."  "no 
mail — uno  papers."  Oh  !  cruel  fates ! 

Tuesday,  20th. — The  troops  still  continue  foraging, 
and  in  consequence  the  country  has  well  nigh  become 
impoverished,  almost  everything  in~the  line  of  subsist- 
ence having  been  confiscated.  But  occasionally  a 
hog,  goose,  or  chicken  ventures  from  some  hiding 
place  and  falls  a  prey  to  the  "inveterate  Yankees." 
Good  news  !  the  P.  M.  informs  us  that  the  tram  has 
brought  the  mail.  At  last  it  is  distributed,  and  how 
eagerly  the  soldiers  peruse  the  little  white  sheets. 
Could  our  friends  but  know  how  much  good  a  letter 
does  a  soldier,  they  would  drift  to  him  "like  dew-drops 
from  heaven" — that  is,  letters  of  cheering  words. 
They  make  us  better  soldiers  too.  We  get  the  blues 
sometimes,  and  feel  like  going  to  the  dogs.  Perhaps 
we  are  worn  out  with  duty,  are  all  wet  and  muddy 
and  the  wind  changes  right  into  our  eyes  ;  and  then 
the  coffee  is  bad ;  and  the  crackers  are  worse,  and 
all  this  when  we  are  as  hungry  as  wolves.  But 
the  mail-boy  comes,  and  hands  us  a  letter — a  good 
long  letter  from  home,  or  some  one  else,  we  won't 
say  who — we  are  not  tired  now  ;  the  fire  has  ceased 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  133 

smoking ;  the  coffee  is  pronounced  good ;  the  old 
musty  crackers  are  decidedly  better,  and  everything 
glides  on  smoothly  with  us. 

"Wednesday,  2 1st. — This  morning  all  nature  looks 
lovely.  The  silver-tinged  landscape  presents  a  scene 
of  beauty.  The  soil  south  breezes  are  intoxicating. 
The  mail  comes  regularly  now,  and  with  full  sup- 
plies the  soldiers  are  happy. 

Thursday,  22d. — Our  camp  now  puts  one  in  mind 
of  an  Illinois  farm-yard,  roosters  crowing  and  hens 
cackling  all  over  camp.  The  roosters  the  boys  are 
training  for  game-cocks. 

Friday,  23d.-  "Hello,  Hampton,  I'll  bet  you  ten 
dollars  that  my  rooster  can  whip  yours!"  cries  a 
soldier  across  the  way,  "Well,  done !"  replies  Hamp- 
ton of  Company  K,  and  a  crowd  of  soldiers  assembles, 
sprinkled  considerably  with  "shoulder  straps" — the 
fight  commences :  they  show  pluck — show  that  they 
have  been  well  trained,  but  Hampton's  rooster  gets 
vanquished,  so  decide  the  judges.  Thus  the  weary 
hours  are  killed  in  the  camp  of  the  Seventh. 

Saturday,  24rth. — It  is  raining  to-day.  The  sol- 
diers keep  in  their  tents,  some  reading,  some 
writing.  All  peaceful  and  quiet  this  evening. 

Sunday,  25th. — Still  raining ;  how  dreary  the 
hours,  and  how  slowly  they  pass  away ;  what  a  dull 
monotony  reigns  in  camp,  and  the  cry  is  for  some- 
thing to  dispel  it.  The  soldier's  prayer  is  for  action; 
yes,  give  us  action,  for  action  gives  vigor  to  life, 
and  value  to  being.  Let  us  bear  the  old  flag  on. 


134:  HISTORY   OF   THE 

Monday,  26. — This  morning  our  regiment  together 
with  the  27th  Ohio,  81st  Ohio,  Tth  Iowa  and  the 
52nd  Illinois  are  ordered  to  escort  a  forage  train  to 
Hamburg  Landing  and  return.  The  27th  Ohio  takes 
the  advance  and  the  Seventh  the  rear.  We  find  the 
roads  in  a  desperate  condition,  the  mud  about  knee 
deep,  and  soon  it  begins  to  rain.  "We  arrive  at  Ham- 
burg about  dark — mud,  mud.  and  rain,  rain ;  how 
terribly  dark.  The  regiment  is  ordered  to  take 
shelter  in  the  surrounding  houses  and  stables — the 
horses  being  turned  out  to  grope  their  way  in  the 
elemental  storm.  The  boys  tear  down  fences  to  make 
fires  to  dry  their  drenched  clothes.  The  houses 
and  stables  for  the  regiment  are  limited  and  in  con- 
sequence '  they  are  densely  crowded.  No  sleep  for 
the  soldier  tonight — no  place  to  rest  his  weary 
body-  . 

Tuesday,  27th/ — This  morning  the  fires  are  made 
to 'burn  more  brilliantly  by  #n  addition  of  boards. 
The  boys  hasten  to  make  their  cone  e  and  eat  their 
breakfast,  that  they  may  be  ready  to  move  with 
the  train,  wHch"  is  now  loaded,  and  headed  towards 
Qorinth.  ;  The  train  soon  commences  to  move  out. 
It  is-  the  Seventh's  lot  as  usual  to  follow  in  the  rear. 
Oh  !  what  a  time — mud,  mud,  no  end  to  mud, 
slash,  -slash,  go  the  wagons,  and  down  go  the  mules 
in  the  mud. over  their  ears.  The  Seventh  extri- 
cate them  ;  it  is  very  fatiguing  to  follow  in  the 
rear.  The  men  soon  become  tired,  but  on  they  go 
determined  to  see  Corinth  to-night.  Night  over- 
takes us  five  miles  from  camp.  The  Regiment 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  135 

scatters,  every  man  for  himself.  The  teams  are 
left  in  the  mud,  and  as  the  demoralized  Seventh 
went  lunging  on  their  way  they  could  hear  for 
miles  back  the  high  keyed  notes  from  the  M.  D's.  > 
whose  curses  and  epithets  were  falling  thick  and 
fast  upon  the  poor  meek  long-eared  race.  Oh  !  what 
untiring  energy  !  Ungenerous  would  be  the  one  who 
would  speak  disparagingly  of  the  services  of  this 
race  in  this  struggle.  We  imagine  that  in  the  future 
the  faithful  chroniclers  will  say,  "here's  to  the  mule 
that  with  patience  and  fortitude  performed  well  its 
part  in  the  war  for  the  Union."  The  Seventh  arrive 
in  camp  between  the  hours  of  7  and  10  o'clock  P.  M., 
every  one  looking  most  lovely. 

January  28th. — Corinth  now  presents  a  more  lively 
appearance— communications  regular- — mail  prompt 
— -papers  circulated,  and  perused  eagerly  by  the  sol- 
diers. -All  are  anxious  to  hear  of  some  change  at  the 
seat  of  war.  "Has  the  old  Potomac  Army  become 
demoralized,"  is  the  inquiry  frequently  heard  now 
among  the  Western  soldiers.  But  we  hope  not — 
hope  that  yet  it  will  make  the  successful  tramp  "on 
to  Richmond." 

Thursday,  29th. — The  duties  of  the  regiments  now 
stationed  at  Corinth,  are  very  arduous.  Almost 
every  day  a  regiment  or  two  are  called  upon  to  make 
a  trip  either  to  the  Tennessee  river  river  for  forage, 
or  to  the  Davenport  Mills  for  lumber  to  construct 
fortifications.  Corinth  is  becoming  quite  a  Gibraltar. 
The  Ireedmen  are  all  the  while  kept  busy  upon 
these  works.  This  evening  the  officers  of  the  Illinois 


136  HISTORY  OF  THE 

regiments  meet  in  Music  Hall  to  give  expression 
to  their  views  upon  modern  democracy,  and  their 
bitter  detestation  of  the  treasonable  element  that 
is  becoming  so  prevalent  in  Illinois.  The  following 
are  the  views  of  the  Illinois  soldiers  on  copperheads 
and  defunct  democracy.  The  object  is  to  show  to 
G-overnor  Yates  and  to  all  our  friends  at  home  that 
we  are  still  in  favor  of  a  vigorous  prosecution  of 
the  war,  and  that  we  will  uphold  our  President  and 
our  Governor  in  all  their  efforts  to  crush  the  rebellion 
and  restore  the  Union.  On  motion  a  committee  to 
draft  resolutions  was  appointed,  consisting  of  the 
following  officers :  Colonel  Chetlain  12th  Illinois 
Infantry  commanding  post ;  Colonel  M.  M.  Bane, 
50th  Illinois  Infantry  commanding  Third  brigade, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  "Wilcox  52d  Illinois  Infantry, 
Colonel  Burk,  65th  Illinois  sharp-shooters,  Colonel 
A.  J.  Babcock,  7th  Illinois  Infantry,  Colonel  .Merser 
9th  Illinois  Infantry,  commanding  Second  brigade, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Morrill,  54th  Illinois  Infantry. 
The  committee  submited  the  following  resolutions 
which  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

Whereas •,  Our  government  is  now  engaged  in  a 
struggle  for  the  perpetuation  of  every  right  dear  to 
us  as  American  citizens,  and  requires  the  united 
efforts  of  all  good,  true  and  loyal  men  in  its  behalf: 
and  whereas,  we  behold  with  deep  regret  the  bitter 
partizan  spirit  that  is  becoming  dangerously  vindic- 
tive and  malicious  in  our  state,  the  tendency  of  which 
is  to  frustrate  the  plans  of  the  federal  and  state  author- 
ities in  their  efforts  to  suppress  this  infamous 
rebellion  ;  therefore, 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  137 

Resolved,  That  having  pledged  ourselves  with  our 
most  cherished  interests  in  the  service  of  our  common 
country  in  this  hour  of  national  peril,  we  ask  our 
friends  at  home  to  lay  aside  all  petty  jealousies  and 
party  animosities,  and  as  one  man  stand  by  us  in 
upholding  the  president  in  his  war  measures,  in 
maintaining  the  authority  and  the  dignity  of  the 
government,  and  in  unfurling  again  the  glorious 
emblem  of  our  nationality  over  every  city  and  town 
of  rebeldom. 

Resolved^  That  we  tender  to  Governor  Fates  and 
Adjutant  General  Fuller  our  warmest  thanks  for 
their  untiring  zeal  in  organizing,  arming  and  equip- 
ping the  army  Illinois  has  sentjx>  the  field,  and  for 
their  timely  attention  to  the  wants  of  our  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers,  and  we  assure  them  of  our  steady 
and  warm  support  in  their  efforts  to  maintain  for 
Illinois  the  proud  position  of  pre-eminent  loyalty 
which  she  now  occupies. 

Resolved,  That  we  have  watched  the  traitorous 
conduct  of  those  members  of  the  Illinois  Legislature 
who  misrepresent  their  constituents — who  have  been 
proposing  a  cessation  of  the  war,  avowedly  to 
arrange  terms  for  peace,  but  really  to  give  time  for 
the  exhausted  rebels  to  recover  strength  and  renew 
their  plottings  to  divest  Governor  Yates  of  the  right 
and  authority  vested  in  him  by  our  state  constitution 
and  laws,  and  to  them  we  calmly  and  firmly  say, 
beware  of  the  terrible  retribution  that  is  falling 
upon  your  coadjutors  at  the  south,  and  that  as  your 
crime  is  ten-fold  blacker  it  will  swiftly  smite 
you  with  ten-fold  more  horrors,  should  you  persist 
in  your  damnable  work  of  treason. 

Resolved,  That  in  tending  our  thanks  to  Governor 
Yates,  and  assuring  him  of  our  hearty  support  in  his 
efforts  to  crush  this  inhuman  rebellion,  we  are  deeply 
and  feelingly  in  "earnest."  We  have  left  to  the 


138  HISTORY   OF   THE 

protection  of  the  laws  he  is  to  enforce,  all  that  is 
dear  to  man — our  wives,  our  children,  our  parents, 
our  homes, — and  should  the  loathsome  treason  of 
the  madmen  who  are  trying  to  wrest  from  him  a  por- 
tion of  his  just  authority  render  it  necessary  in  his 
opinion  for  us  to  return  and  crush  out  treason  there, 
we  will  promptly  obey  a  proper  order  so  to  do,  for 
we  despise  a  sneaking,  whining  traitor  in  the 
rear  much  more  than  an  open  rebel  in  front. 

Besolved,  That  we  hold  in  contempt,  and  will 
execrate  any  man  who  in  this  struggle  for  national 
life,  offers  factious  opposition  to  either  the  federal  or 
state  government  in  their  efforts  or  measures  for  the 
vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war  for  the  suppression 
of  this  godless  rebellion. 

jResolved,  That  we  are  opposed  to  all  propositions 
for  a  cessation  of  hostilities,  or  a  compromise  other 
than  those  propositions  which  the  government  has 
constantly  offered  ;  "Return  to  loyalty — to  the  laws 
and  common  level  with  the  other  states  ol  the  Union, 
under  the  constitution  as  our  fathers  made  it." 

LIEUT.  COL.  PHILLIPS,  9th  Illinois, 

President. 
T.  N.  LETTON,  Adjutant  50th  Illinois. 

Secretary. 

Friday,  30th. — Everything  seems  quiet  to-day. 
The  soldiers  seem  well  satisfied  with  the  resolutions 
adopted  last  night  in  Music  Hall.  This  evening 
they  are  submitted  to  the  men  for  their  decision 
thereon.  The  Seventh  being  drawn  up  in  line  adopt 
them  with  a  vim,  saying  amen  to  every  word.  All 
the  Illinois  Regiments  adopt  them  without  one  dis- 
senting voice,  except  ten  men  belonging  to  the  52d 
Illinois  Infantry. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  139 

Saturday,  31st. — This  morning  our  new  chaplain 
arrives,  the  Hev.  Mr.  Perkins.  It  is  indeed  a  happy 
arrival  for  we  have  been  without  one  for  a  long- 
time. This  office  is  now  a  very  difficult  one  to  fill  as 
the  soldiers  have  become  so  reckless  that  should  the 
angel  Gabriel  receive  a  commission  as  chaplain  to 
the  Seventh,  he  would  give  it  up  as  a  bad  bargain. 
War  is  atheistic,  heathenish,  devilish  ;  qualify  it  as 
you  may  with  all  that  civilization  and  Christianity 
can  do,  it  is  yet  the  mightiest  reaping  machine  in  the 
harvest  of  hell.  We  do  not  say  that  God  has  nothing  to 
do  with  its  running,  for  we  believe  that  hidden  behind 
the  veil  of  human  wrath  he  directs  every  move  to 
his  own  rglory;  but  he  who  drives  this  terrible 
instrument  is  very  apt  to  become  like  jt,  being 
barred  as  we  are  from  civilization  and  the  refining 
and  ennobling  influence  of  female  society. 

Sunday,  February  1st. — To-day  our  chaplain 
preaches  for  the  first  time  to  the  Seventh ;  having 
not  heard  a  sermon  for  a  long  time,  the  boys  listen 
with  considerable  attention  as  he  preaches  a  very 
interesting  sermon,  and  from  the  remarks  we  con- 
clude that  after  all  the  Seventh  have  not  become 
hardened  to  the  gospel. 

Tuesday,  3d. — This  morning  it  is  very  cold,  and  a 
fierce  north  wind  is  blowing.  The  Seventh  are 
aroused  early,  and  having  last  night  received  march- 
ing orders,  we  are  soon  in  line  with  three  days 
rations.  The  Second.  Iowa  takes  the  advance,  the 
division  and  post  teams  follow,  the  Twenty-ninth  Ohio 
the  center,  the  Seventh  Illinois  the  rear.  We  go 


140  HISTORY    OF    THE 

to  the  Davenport  Mills,  about  twenty  miles  away  to 
the  south-east  in  the  north  Mississippi  pineries  to  get 
lumber.  In  the  evening  we  load  up  in  order  to  get 
an  early  start  in  the  morning  for  Corinth.  Loaded  up, 
the  troops  go  into  camp;  soon  the  camp  fires  are 
blazing ;  pine  boards  burn  briskly.  After  making 
our  coffee  we  lie  down  by  the  fire  to  sleep,  but  no 
sleep  for  the  soldiers ;  the  wind  blows  too  coldly,  and 
we  find  it  difficult  to  keep  warm,  for  we  burn  on  one 
side  and  freeze  on  the  other. 

Wednesday,  4th. — Early  this  morning,  long  ere  it 
is  light,  the  soldier  is  up  with  his  can  bucket  mak- 
ing his  coffee — how  it  refreshes  him  this  cold 
morning.  The  light  of  day  is  now  approaching 
and  is  being  hailed  with  a  welcome,  for  the  night 
has  been  long  and  weary.  After  finishing  our 
breakfast  we  are  ordered  into  line ;  and  for  once 
since  the  battle  of  Corinth,  the  Seventh  takes  the 
advance,  the  Twenty-seventh  the  center,  and  the 
Second  Iowa  the  rear.  We  march  briskly  this  morn- 
ing, it  being  cold  and  frosty,  and  by  twelve  o'clock 
being  considerably  ahead  of  the  train,  we  are  halted 
long  enough  to  eat  our  dinner,  after  which  we  move 
on;  we  find  it  difficult  marching  to-day,  the  roads  being 
frozen.  This  afternoon  the  boys  soon  begin  to  limp, 
and  some  are  compelled  to  drop  back  to  the  wagons. 
We  find  this  country  a  deserted  wilderness,  and  what 
few  inhabitants  we  see,  starvation  seems  to  stare 
in  the  face ;  famine  seems  to  follow  both  friend  and  foe. 
When  within  three  miles  of  Corinth,  clouds  that 
have  been  gathering  begin  to  spit  snow.  Onward 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  141 

the  Seventh  goes  arriving  in  camp  about  three  o'clock 
in  the  midst  of  a  snow  storm. 

Thursday,  5th. — This  morning,  Oh !  how  cold  ! 
howling  winds  and  drifting  snow.  It  is  indeed  a  fair- 
representation  of  the  sunny  south.  Nothing  unusual 
occurs  to-day.  The  soldiers  hover  closely  around 
the  camp  fires. 

Friday,  6th. — This  morning  the  boys  are  compelled 
to  wend  their  way  to  the  woods  to  obtain  fuel.  It 
remains  extremely  cold.  Hark !  what  do  we  hear  ? 
Marching  orders  with  three  days  rations,  says  one. 
Back  to  the  Davenport  Mills,  can  it  be  possible  ?  Yes ! 
cries  the  orderly,  we  will  start  at  1  o'clock.  Twenty 
miles  to  go  to  night,  and  load  one  hundred  teams  with 
lumber;  rather  a  hard  task  says  one,  but  we  suppose  it 
is  honest.  The  drums  beat;  and  with  our  equip- 
ments, rations,  &c.,  strapped  to  our  backs,  we  move 
out  from  Corinth.  We  are  soon  joined  by  the  Ninth 
Illinois  and  Sixty-sixth  Indiana ;  the  Ninth  takes  the 
advance,  the  Sixty-sixth  the  center,  and  the  Sev- 
enth the  rear.  After  going  a  short  distance  we  get 
into  the  wagons  and  ride  ;  the  roads  are  desperate ; 
but  on  we  go  slash  !  slash  !  through  the  wilderness 
of  pines.  Along  the  road  we  meet  families,  men, 
women  and  little  children  wending  their  way  to 
Corinth  to  seek  protection  under  the  old  flag.  We 
arrive  at  the  mills  at  1  o'clock  A.  M.  After  stacking  our 
guns  we  proceed  to'  make  some  coffee,  and  after 
drinking  it  we  all  lie  down  to  obtain  a  few  hours  of 
sleep,  but  soon  "  rub  dub,  rub  dub  "  goes  the  drum, 
the  soldiers  give  a  groan  and  then  commence  railing 


142  HISTORY  OF  THE 

out  upon  the  drummer  for  waking  them  so  soon,  but 
there  is  no  use  of  whining — up  we  must  get  and  that 
"  wstanter,  "  as  we  are  promised  the  advance  back  to 
Corinth.  The  teams  are  now  all  loaded.  The  Sev- 
enth feel  slighted  in  not  being  called  upon  for 
their  services.  The  teams  are  soon  moving,  the 
Seventh  taking  the  advance  ;  but  before  going  far 
we  are  halted  by  the  Colonel  of  the  Sixty-sixth  Indi- 
ana, commanding  forces,  and  informed  that  he  had 
promised  the  Sixty-sixth  the  advance.  Captain 
Lawyer  is  then  ordered  to  march  with  the  Seventh  in 
the  center.  We  move  on  briskly  and  arrive  in  camp 
5  o'clock  P.  M. 

Sunday,  8th. — This  morning  the  boys  remain  in 
their  bunks  unmindful  of  reveille,  showing  a  deter- 
mination to]  obtain  some  sleep  and  rest  after  the 
two  days,  trip  to  the  mills.  No  news  came  with  this 
evening's  mail  and  everything  seems  quiet  and  dull  in 
and  around  Corinth.  During  the  latter  part  of  this 
month,  (February)  nothing  pf  note  occurs,  and  also 
during  the  month  of  March  a  dull  monotnoy  prevails 
in  the  camp  of  the  Seventh,  Colonel  Babcock  hav- 
ing been  for  some  time  president  of  the  Military 
Commission  in  session  at  Corinth,  for  reasons  best 
known  to  himself  resigns^his  colonelcy  of  the  Sev- 
enth regiment  and  leaves  the  service;  and  we  all  regret 
to  see  him  leave  for  he  has  been  to  us  a  good,  brave 
and  faithful  officer.  The  following  testimonial  from 
his  companions  in  arms  will  speak  for  itself. 

Whereas,  Colonel  Andrew  J.  Babcock  has  resigned 
his  commission  as  Colonel  of  the  Seventh  regiment 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  143 

of  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers,  and  we  the  officers 
and  men  of  the  Seventh  having  been  long  under  his 
command,  both  appreciate  his  worth  and  deeply 
regret  his  separation  from  us,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  Colonel  A.  J.  Babcock  the  state 
of  Illinois  and  the  army  of  the  United  States  have 
lost  a  brave,  competent  and  meritorious  officer. 

Resolved,  That  we,  who  have  for  nearly  two  years 
been  associated  with  him  in  his  duties,  in  the  garri- 
son and  in  the  field,  through  many  toilsome  marches 
and  in  the  hard  fought  battles  of  Donelson  and 
Corinth,  bear  witness  that  he  has  proved  himself  a 
most  daring,  discreet  and  loyal  leader  ;  and  that  in 
the  execution  of  his  office,  as  well  as  his  personal 
bearing,  he  has  won  not  only  the  confidence  and 
respect  but  also  the  esteem  and  affection  of  all  his 
command. 

"Resolved,  That  as  Colonel  Babcock  from4ho  first 
organization  of  the  first  regiment  of  Illinois — from 
the  opening  of  the  war  to  the  present  date,  has 
proved  himself  before  us,  as  a  commander  most 
efficient — as  a  man  and  a  brother  in  arms  at  once 
just,  genial  and  generous,  we  sincerely  hope  and 
trust  that  his  affairs  may  again  permit  the  govern- 
ment to  avail  itself  of  his  invaluable  services  in  the 
field ;  and  should  such  be  the  case,  it  will  be  our 
highest  happiness  to  be  again  associated  with  him 
in  the  service  of  our  common  country. 

K.  L.  METCALF,  Pres., 
Surgeon  Seventh  111.  Inft., 

J,  S.  KOBINSON,  Secretary ', 
Adjutant. 

As  the  Colonel  leaves  us  we  remember  those  win- 
try days  of  battle  on  the  Cumberland  hills  before 
Fort  Donelson,  and  how  with  the  private  soldiers  he 
endured  the  battle's  privations  there  ;  and  how  amid 


144  HISTORY   OF   THE 

smoke  and  flame  he  led  the  Seventh  on  to  glorious 
victory.  We  also  remember  how  he  moved  upon 
Corinth's  bloody  field  and  proved  himself  a  leader 
true,  when  darkness  and  gloom  seemed  to  mantle 
the  Seventh's  brave  soldiers.  May  he  on  his  return 
to  civil  life  receive  tokens  of  gratitude  from  Illinois' 
grateful  people. 

April  6th. — "We  remember  to-day,  that  one  year 
ago  we  stood  upon  Shiloh's  plain,  and  stemmed  the 
wild  tide  of  battle  that  rolled  there.  To-day  prepar- 
ations are  being  made  by  the  officers  and  soldiers  of 
the  post  to  celebrate  the  closing  hours  of  that  great 
battle. 

April  7th. — In  compliance  with  orders  from  head- 
quarters, the  3d  brigade  commanded  by  Colonel  Bane, 
is  marched  and  put  into  position  in  front  of  Division 
Head-  quarters,  where  a  large  flag-staff"  has  been 
erected  and  preparation  made  for  speaking,  &c. 
One  o'clock  p.  M.  all  the  infantry  regiments,  battalions 
of  cavalry  and  artillery  are  on  the  ground,  and  after 
they  are  arranged  and  in  position,  General  Dodge 
gives  the  command,  attention !  and  reads  in  a  loud 
and  clear  voice  the  order  of  the  day :  1st  music,  2d 
raising  of  the  flag,  3d  salute,  4th  music.  After  the 
salute  and  the  martial  notes  had  died  away,  General 
Dodge  said,  "Fellow  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  2d 
division,  we  have  assembled  here  to  celebrate  an 
eventful  day — the  day  on  which  Shiloh's  great 
battle  closed.  Brave  men,  you  remember  it  well, 
and  I  am  glad  in  my  heart  that  you  were  there  and 
performed  so  well  your  part.  But  I  cannot  talk 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  14:5 

to  you,  my  heart  is  too  full,  and  for  your  further 
entertainment  I  will  introduce  (though  he  needs  no 
introduction,)  the  gallant  Colonel  M.  M.  Bane,  the 
popular  commander  of  the  3d  brigade,  whose  empty 
sleeve  will  tell  you  quickly  that  he  has  a  right  to 
speak."  Colonel  Bane  takes  the  stand  and  delivers 
a  good  speech,  full  of  enthusiasm  and  soul,  which  is 
often  interrupted  by  loud  bursts  of  applause.  After 
Colonel  Bane  closes,  the  division  is  formed  and 
marched  in  review,  and  then  the  regiments  are  con- 
ducted to  their  respective  camps,  long  to  remember 
their  first  anniversary  of  the  battle  of  Shiloh. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Marching  orders — Leaving  Corinth — The  column  headed  toward 
the  Tuscumbia  Valley — Camp  at  Burnsville — luka,  Mississippi 
— Camp  near  Bear  River — Our  advance  disputed — Crossing  Bear 
river — Skirmish  with  the  enemy — The  regiment  falling  back 
— Camp  near  Bear  River — Colonel  Rowett  after  the  sheep — 
Plans  for  ambushing  the  rebels — The  failure — Arrival  of  rein- 
forcements— Foraging — The  arrival  of  Col.  Straight — Some 
bold  movement  contemplated — The  Alabama  cavalry  and  the 
Kansas  Jayhawkers  on  the  war  "path — Arrival  at  Tuscumbia, 
Alabama — The  springs — The  Seventh  ordered  to  South  Flor- 
ence, Tennessee  river — The  soldier's  wayside  dream — Flags  of 
truce — Battle  of  Town  creek — Crossing  Town  creek — Following 
the  enemy — The  march  back  to  Corinth — The  destruction  of 
property — Swimming  Bear  river — Arrival  at  luka — Arrival  at 
Corinth — Receiving  news  concerning  the  fall  of  Richmond— 
The  excitement. 

Remaining  in  camp  at  Corinth  without  anything  of 
note  occurring  until  the  evening  of  the  14th,  we 
receive  marching  orders.  The  guerrilla  Roddy,  hav- 
ing been  hovering  around  Glen  dale  and  luka,  com- 
mitting unwarranted  depredations  for  some  time, 
the  rumors  this  evening,  confirmed  by  general  indi- 
cations are,  that  General  Dodge  is  about  to  start  on 
an  expedition  against  him,  and  the  camps  seem  in  a 
bustle  all  around  Corinth  this  evening. 

Wednesday,  15th. — Reveille  is  beat  early  this 
morning  and  soon  the  Seventh  is  on  its  feet.  At 
sunrise  we  report  to  brigade  headquarters.  It  falls 
to  the  third  brigade  to  take  the  rear,  and  in  conse- 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  14:7 

quence  we  are  slow  in  leaving  Corinth.  A  heavy  force 
under  the  command  of  General  Dodge  is  now  on  the 
tramp,  headed  towards  the  Tuscmnbia  valley.  We 
travel  slowly  all  day,  save  at  times  when  we  are  com- 
pelled to  make  brisk  steps  owing  to  the  tardiness  of 
the  team£.  We  go  into  camp  to-night  at  Burnsville, 
fifteen  miles  from  Corinth.  The  boys  are  in  fine 
spirits,  eager  to  push  forward.  It  is  intimated  that 
the  expedition  will  be  directed  towards  Decatur,  Ala- 
bama. It  seems  evident  that  some  bold  movement 
is  contemplated. 

Thursday,  16th. — This  morning  the  boys  are  soon 
up,  eager  to  push  forward.  We  eat  our  breakfast 
and  are  moving  by  six  o'clock.  The  sun  shines 
intensely  hot  to-day,  and  in  consequence  many  fag 
by  the  way .  We  halt  for  our  dinner  at  luka,  Missis- 
sippi, which  place  is  noted  for  its  mineral  springs, 
the  resort  of  the  chivalry,  where  in  brighter  days 
they  loved  to  rehearse  to  the  south's  fair  ones  their 
gallant  deeds ;  but  those  days  have  flown,  and 
on  these  rocks  the  encased  swords  of  the  Union's 
warriors  now  make  grating  music.  After  dinner 
we  move  on, marchhardwall  the  afternoon,  and  at  night 
go  into  camp  three  miles  from  Bear  River. 

Friday,  17th. — This  morning  as  soon  as  it  is  light, 
we  take  up  the  line  of  march  towards  Bear  Eiver, 
where  it  is  expected  our  advance  will  be  disputed. 
We  halt  a  few  hundred  yards  from  the  river,  when 
a  battery  is  run  into  position  to  our  rear  on  the  hill 
and  opened  upon  the  enemy  on  the  opposite  bank, 
causing  them  to  fall  back  in  confusion.  The  troops 
now  commence  crossing  the  river  on  flat-boats,  which 


148  HISTORY  OF  THE 

the  rebels  in  their  haste  failed  to  destroy.  But  the 
Seventh  being  impatient  and  eager  to  dash  upon  the 
enemy,  they  buckle  their  cartridge  boxes  around 
their  necks,  and  plunging  into  the  river  they  wade 
across  ;  and  without  waiting  to  wring  the  water  out 
of  their  clothes,  push  forward,  and  coming  up  with 
the  enemy,  are  soon  engaged  in  a  brisk  skirmish, 
driving  them  pell  mell  over  the  hills  and  through 
the  woods  into  the  Tuscumbia  Valley.  After  which 
we  go  into,  camp  six  miles  from  Bear  River. 

Saturday,  18th. — This  morning  about  nine  o'clock 
the  3d  brigade  takes  the  backward  track  towards 
Bear  River.  "We  come  to  a  halt  about  two  miles 
from  the  river,  and  are  ordered  into  camp  for  the 
remainder  of  the  day  and  night.  As  usual  when  such 
movements  are  made,  rumors  are  on  the  wing,  and 
one  says,  "we  are  taking  back  water,"  another,  that 
uthe  enemy  was  reinforced  last  night  and  has  been 
trying  this  morning  to  get  in  our  rear,  between  us 
and  Bear  River".  If  we  are  retreating  we  are 
doing  it  very  slowly.  As  soon  as  our  arms  are 
stacked,  Colonel  Dick  Rowett  rides  along  the  regi- 
ment and  calls  for  five  brave  men  from  each  company, 
for,  says  he,  I  am  going  to  do  something  that  will 
call  for  that  kind  of  metal.  Following  him  they  dash 
into  the  mountains,  and  in  about  one  hour  he  returns 
with  about  thirty  sheep  and  a  quantity  of  bacon, 
found  hid  away  on  the  mountains  by  the  rebel 
citizens.  The  Seventh  live  like  kings  to-night. 

Sunday,  19th. — Last  night  it  rained  very  hard, 
giving  everybody  and  everything  a  general  wetting. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  149 

The  boys  are  now  busy  pulling  balls  and  getting 
their  guns  in  order.  The  rebel  cavalry  are  now 
seen  lurking  along  our  front.  Changing  position,  the 
3d  brigade  are  secreted  in  the  brush  for  the  purpose 
of  ambushing  the  rebels  in  case  of  an  advance  by 
them.  The  pickets  have  been  removed  and  a  battalion 
of  cavalry  sent  out  to  engage  them  and  draw  them" 
down  the  road  towards  the  river ;  but  for  once  the 
rebels  were  too  wary  for  the  artful  Yankees.  In  the 
evening  we  return  to  the  camp  occupied  by  the  Sev- 
enth the  day  and  night  before.  Eeinforcements 
arrive  this  evening — the  Ohio  brigade,  and  the  Kan- 
sas Jayhawkers.  It  is  rumored  that  the  command 
will  move  forward  in  the  morning.  The  boys  are 
all  in  fine  spirits  this  evening  in  consequence  of  the 
rumor.  All  are  anxious  to  follow  the  old  flag  up 
the  Tuscumbia  valley,  and  drive  the  enemy  across 
the  mountains  into  Georgia. 

Monday,  20th. — This  morning  the  soldiers  are 
on  their  feet  and  moving  around  the  blazing  camp- 
fires,  busily  cooking  ^their  breakfast,  and  their  cooking 
utensils  are  quite  novel.  A  flat  stone  for  a  frying- 
pan,  and  a  sharp  stick  for  a  fork  (we  use  no  knives.) 
After  eating  our  breakfast,  we  commence  building 
sheds  with  pine  twigs,  to  shield  ourselves  from  the 
sim's  warm  rays.  The  command  does  not  move  as 
was  rumored  last  night.  No  demonstrations  to-day, 
all  quiet. 

Tuesday,  21st. — Reinforcements  still  continue  to 
come,  and  we  still  remain  quiet.  "Why  we  do  not  move 
we  cannot  tell.  Perhaps  the  General  is  waiting  for 


150  HISTORY   OF   THE 

all  expected  reinforcements  to  arrive.  Captain  Smith 
with  Company  E  is  sent  on  a  foraging  expedition  to 
Dickenson's  plantation,  coming  back  in  the  evening 
well  supplied.  This  evening  the  Seventh  seem  in  a 
gleeful  mood.  Around  every  camp  fire  they  are 
now  singing  "Bonnie  blue  flag," — "Rally  round  the 
flag,  boys,"  making  the  mountain  gorges  re-echo  with 
patriotic  songs.  No  discord  here;  no  discontent 
manifest — all  seem  united  in  the  great  work  of 
saving  the  Union. 

Wednesday,  22d. — This  morning  the  command  is 
ordered  to  be  kept  together,  ready  to  move  at  a 
moment's  notice;  what  is  contemplated  or  whither 
our  destination,  is  a  mystery  to  the^soldiers.  To-day 
Colonel  Straight  arrives  from  Murfreesboro  with  a 
brigade  of  mounted  infantry.  Each  day  indicates 
that  some  bold  movement  is  contemplated.  Another 
day  is  closing  and  yet  the  command  still  remains  at 
a  stand. 

Thursday,  23d. — This  morning  the  command  "for- 
ward" is  given  to  the  impatient  men,  and  they  march 
briskly,  their  steps  are  firm.  To-day  we  witness 
war's  desolating  scourge  on  the  plantations.  The 
devouring  elements  of  fire  are  doing  their  work. 
The  Alabama  Union  cavalry  and  the  Kansas  Jay- 
hawkers  are  on  the  war-path  ;  their  day  has  come — 
their  day  of  retribution. 

Friday,  14th. — This  morning  at  the  first  tap  of  the 
drum  we  are  up,  and  soon  on  the  move.  About 
noon  we  arrive  at  Tuscumbia  ;  the  enemy  having  all 
retreated  before  the  Union  army's  advance.  This  is 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  151 

a  beautiful  town  in  Northern  Alabama,  noted  for  its 
beautiful  springs  of  water,  that  leap  from  the  rocks 
like  gushing  and  swelling  fountains.  How  well 
do  the  weary  soldiers  love  to  kneel  down  by  these 
flowing  streams  after  their  hard  day's  march,  and 
drink  of  their  refreshing  waters.  After  arriving  at 
Tuscumbia,  the  Seventh  is  ordered  to  South  Florence 
on  the  Tennessee  River,  six  miles  distant.  We 
arrive  about  four  o'clock,  finding  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Phillips,  with  his  Ninth  Illinois  mounted  infantry, 
occupying  the  place.  Soon  after  our  arrival,  a  flag  of 
truce  is  sent  across  the  river  to  Florence,  demanding 
the  surrender  of  the  city.  On  its  return  we  are 
informed  that  the  rebels  have  all  fled  and  that  no  satis- 
faction could  be  obtained  relative  to  the  surrender,  the 
civil  authorities  refusing  to  act.  We  go  into  camp 
to-night  on  the  banks  of  the  Tennessee. 

Saturday,  25th. — This  morning  another  flag  of  truce 
is  sent  across  the  river  under  the  command  of  Cap- 
tain Ring  of  the  Seventh,  and  after  remaining  a  few 
hours  in  Florence  he  returns,  reporting  the  place  sur- 
rendered and  free  from  armed  rebels.  The  boys 
are  now  enjoying  themselves  bathing  in  the  river. 

Sunday,  26th. — This  morning  the  dark  overhang- 
ing clouds  are  threatening  rain.  The  Seventh  are 
ordered  to  quarter  themselves  in  the  few  scattering 
houses  yet  remaining  in  South  Florence.  Hark  !  the 
drum  beats  for  an  assembly.  The  Seventh  are  ordered 
to  their  camping  ground  on  the  hill.  Colonel  Row- 
ett  calling  the  regiment  to  attention,  informs  them  of 
the  wanton  destruction  of  property  out  on  the  plan- 


152  HISTORY    OF    THE 

tations,  and  orders  the  First  Sergeant  to  call  the  roll, 
who  reports  all  presenter  accounted  for,  and  as  usual 
the  Seventh  is  clear.  Though  no  one  would  ever 
suspect  any  of  the  Seventh  guilty  of  pillaging  houses 
or  stealing,  yet  a  general  order  is  applicable  to  all— 
•hence  the  roll  call  by  the  first  sergeants  of  the  regi- 
ment. After  this  the  soldiers  retain  to  their  houses 
where  they  remain  comfortable  during  the  night. 

Monday,  17th. — This  morning  we  move  from 
South  Florence,  having  been  ordered  to  join  the 
main  column  at  Leighton,  ten  miles  from  Tuscumbia 
on  the  road  leading  towards  Decatur.  The  roads 
are  very  muddy,  but  we  march  briskly  and  strike  the 
road  in  advance  of  the  column,  when  we  halt  to 
await  its  advance.  Coming  up  we  take  our 
position  in  the  brigade  and  move  forward  through 
mud  and  rain.  About  four  o'clock  we  come  up  with 
the  rebels  and  commence  a  brisk  skirmish.  The 
rebels  falling  back  across  Town  Creek,  we  go  into 
camp  for  the  night  about  one  mile  from  the  creek. 
The  soldiers,  weary  and  warm,  fall  down  upon  the 
damp  ground  and  are  soon  sleeping. 

Tuesday,  28th. — To  day  we  expect  to  meet  the 
foe,  who  threaten  to  dispute  our  passage  across 
Town  Creek.  The  morning  is  beautiful,  nature  is 
smiling,  and  the  sun  is  far  up,  moving  on  in  its  path 
of  blue.  The  soldiers  are  ordered  to  rest  themselves 
as  much  as  possible,  for  the  indications  are  that 
much  'will  be  demanded  of  them  ere  the  sun  sinks 
to  rest.  Looking  beneath  a  tall  pine  our  eyes  rest 
upon  a.  soldier  leaning  against  its  base,  with  his  mus- 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  153 

ket  on  his  arm.  His  head  is  bowed,  and  his  eyes  are 
closed.  "We  imagine  that  he  is  dreaming, — that 
shadows  of  light  are  flitting  through  his  spirit's  cham- 
ber. He  now  arises,  and  we  discover  that  it  is  our 
poet  soldier,  Sergeant  S.  F.  Flint.  Our  eyes  follow 
him  as  he  is  now  seated  with  his  pencil  and  paper.  His 
genius  is  now  at  work,  and  soon  after  the  artillery 
commences  to  send  forth  its  harsh  echoes  over  the 
hills  and  through  the  vales  of  Alabama,  he  produces 
the  following : 

THE    SOLDIERS   WAYSIDE   DREAM. 

The  word  was  "rest;"  the  dusty  road  was  rocky,  worn  and  steep, 
And  many  a  sun-browned  soldier's  face  sank  on  his  breast  to 

sleep. 

Afar  the  Alabama  hills   swept  round  in  billowy  lines, 
The  soft  green  of  their  bowery  slopes  was  dotted  dark  withpinesj 
And  from  their  tops  a  gentle  breeze,  born  in  the  clou  dlesssky, 
Stole  through  the  valley  where  a  stream  was  slowly  warbling  by; 
And  as  it  passed  it  brought  a  cloud  of  odor  in  its  plumes, 
Of  violets  and  columbines,  and  milk-white  plum  tree  blooms. 
The  coolness  and  the  perfume  o'er  my  weary  senses  crept, 
And  with  my  musket  on  my  arm  I  bowed  my  head  and  slept ; 
No  more  the  Alabama  hills,  no  more  the  waving  pines, 
But  still  the  scent  of  violets  and  red  wild  columbines. 
I  drew  my  breath  in  ecstacy,  my  feet  were  shod  with  joy, 
I  dreamed  I  trod  the  prairie  sod  in  my  beautiful  Illinois, 
The  lark  sung  welcome  in  the  grass  the  well  known  path  along, 
And  the  pulsations  of  my  heart  seemed  echoes  of  his  song. 
I  thought  the  sunlight  never  shone  so  gloriously  before, 
But  sweeter  were  the  smiles  of  love  that  met  meat  the  door. 

0  !^  hold  my  hand  while  yet  you  may,  love  of  my  earlier  years, 
And  wet  my  face,  my  mother,  with  thy  proud  and  happy  tearg, 
And  bless  me  again,  my  father,  bless  me  again,  I  pray, 

1  hear  the  bugle,  I  hear  the  drum,  I  have  but  one  hour  to  stay. 

7* 


154  HISTORY    OF   THE 

Alas  !  my  dreaming  words  were  true,  I  woke  and  knew  it  all, 

I  heard  the  clamor  of  the  drum,  I  heard  the  captain's  call, 

And  over  all  another  voice  I  oft  had  heard  before — 

A  sound  that  stirs  the  dullest  heart — the  cannon's   muffled  roar. 

No  longer  "rest,"  but  "forward  ;"  for  e'er  the  day  is  done 

It  will  tell  of  the  fearful  glory  of  a  battle  lost  and  won, 

And  ere  the  breath  of  its  blackened  lips  has  time  to  lift  away, 

My  hand  must  be  red  and   warm  with  blood,  or  white  and  cold 

as  clay. 

0  !  pray  for  me  in  thy  gentle  heart,  love  of  my  earlier  years, 
And  mother,   only  weep  for  me  those  proud  and  happy  tears, 
And  bless  again,  my  father,  bless  me  while  yet  you  may, 
My  dream  words  may    be  doubly  true    I  may  have  but  an  hour 

to  stay. 

The  troops  are  now  in  line,  skirmishers  are  deployed 
forward  towards  the  creek  and  they  soon  discover  the 
rebels  in  force  with  considerable  artillery  on  the 
rise  beyond  the  creek.  While  advancing,  the  enemy 
open  upon  them  with  their  batteries,  whereupon  our 
batteries  are  placed  in  position  and  made  to  play  with 
a  telling  effect  upon  the  enemy.  For  about  one  hour 
a  fierce  artillery  duel  is  kept  up  by  the  contending 
forces ;  the  distance  being  so  far  between  nothing 
serious  is  accomplished.  Though  there  is  a  terrible 
clamor  and  a  deafening  thunder,  the  flying  monsters 
from  the  rebel  artillery  pass  harmlessly  over  our 
heads  or  fall  a  short  distance  before  us.  The  division 
is  now  drawn  up  in  battle  line  with  the  intention  of 
effecting  a  crossing  over  the  creek.  While  thus 
drawn  up  in  line  of  battle,  the  mail  messenger  brings 
us  a  mail,  and  there,  unmindful  of  shot  and  shell 
flying  around  us,  we  read  the  little  love  freighted 
missives  ;  some  almost  forget  that  the  dogs  of  war 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  155 

are  barking  as  they  peruse  the  lines  from  the  home 
circle,  for  no  doubt  they  may  be  thinking  that  per- 
haps these  will  be  the  last  lines  they  will  ever 
receive  from  mother  or  sister,  for  ere  'tis  night  they 
may  lay  themselves  down  to  take  the  soldier's  last 
sleep.  The  division  now  advances ;  and  when  within 
a  short  distance  of  the  creek,  Colonel  Kowett  is 
ordered  to  deploy  the  Seventh  forward  on  a  skir- 
mish line  to  support  the  pioneers  while  building  a 
bridge  for  the  infantry.  The  artillery  firing  now 
ceases.  A  crossing  is  soon  prepared  and  the  division 
passes  over  and  forms  in  line  of  battle ;  the 
skirmish  line  advances,  followed  by  the  division's 
compact  and  solid  battle  line,  which  moves  firmly 
and  in  order  presenting  a  grand  and  imposing  scene  on 
this  Alabama  cotton  field ;  but  it  all  ends  with  slight 
skirmishing.  The~cautious  Roddy  would  not  stand, 
but  retreated  into  the  mountains  leaving  General 
Dodge  the  undisputed  possession  of  the  beautiful 
Tuscumbia  Yalley.  To-night  all  the  division  recross 
Town  Creek,  except  our  regiment  and  the  Second 
Iowa,  which  are  ordered  to  remain  on  this  side  as  an 
outpost.  "We  sleep  quietly  to  night,  knowing  that 
the  enemy  is  far  away. 

Wednesday,  29th. — This  morning  the  order  is  to 
take  the  backward  track  to  Corinth.  As  our  supplies 
are  running  short  the  command  is  now  on  half 
rations.  The  Seventh  Illinois  and  Second  Iowa 
cross  Town  Creek  and  join  the  Division  and  soon  we 
are  moving.  The  weather  is  now  very  warm,  and 
the  roads  being  rocky  and  rough,  the  marching  is 


156  HISTORY    OF   THE 

severe,  and  we  are  compelled  to  denominate  our  reg- 
iment "  the  foot  sore  Seventh."  A  great  many 
of  the  men's  shoes  are  about  worn  out ;  some  are 
barefooted,  and  in  consequence  many  are  limping ; 
and  as  the  continental  army  could  have  been  tracked 
by  the  blood  at  Yalley  Forge,  so  can  this  army  be 
tracked  by  the  blood  that  makes  crimson  the  rocks  on 
the  road  leading  down  the  Tuscumbia  Valley ;  but 
on  they  move  and  no  murmur  is  heard.  How  sad 
it  is  to  know  that  modern  democracy  would  to-day 
smile  to  see  these  untiring  and  devoted  men  fall  and 
perish  by  the  way  ;  and  how  they  would  love  to  dis- 
honor their  names  and  rejoice  to  see  those  silken  folds 
trailed  ruthlessly  in  the  dust.  We  discover  to-day 
that  General  Dodge's  object  in  remaining  so  long  in 
the  valley  was  to  engage  the  attention  of  the 
enemy  until  Colonel  Straight  could  get  started  on 
his  great  raid  into  Georgia.  He  is  now  far  on  his 
way,  and  we  hope  he  may  succeed  in  carrying  the 
Union's  battle  flag  far  into  the  south-land.  War  is 
now  making  a  most  terrible  sweep  down  the  valley 
to  the  right  and  left ;  the  direful  element  of  fire  is 
doing  its  devouring  work,  innocent  ones  are  suffering, 
suffering  because  their  brothers  leaped  from  the 
cradle  of  freedom  and  struck  the  mother  that  gave 
them  birth.  Mad,  mad  men  !  would  to  ^God  that 
they  could  have  been  stayed  in  their  wrath,  and 
this  desolating  scourge  averted  that  is",  laying  low 
many  a  once  happy  southern  home.  This  evening 
we  pass  through  Tuscumbia  and  go  into  camp  three 
miles  beyond.  The  regiment  is  very  tired  to  night 
and  they  soon  sink  down  to  rest. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  157 

Thursday,  30th. — Five  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  command 
is  moving.     "We  march  hard  all  day.     Many  men 
are  barefooted ;    more  soldiers  are  limping,  but  on 
they  go  with  an  unyielding  determination  to  follow 
where  the  flag  goes  to  night.     We  reach  Bear  River 
towards  evening  and  find  it  very  high  ;  so  high  that 
it  is  evident  that  we  will  be  detained.     The  pioneers 
are  soon  put  to  work  to  construct  a  raft.     A  regi- 
ment is  called  for  to  cross  the  river,  stand  picket, 
and  guard  the  pioneers,  but  none  being  found  the  Gen- 
eral sends  back  for  the  Seventh.      After  moving  for- 
ward the  General  says  to  the  Colonel,  "Can  your  men 
swim  ?"    Dick  replies,  "General,  I  would  not  have  a 
man  that  could  not  swim."     Sure  enough,  we  find 
that  there  is  no  other  chance  to  cross  but  to  swim, 
and  that  too  against  a  swift  current.     But  the  Seventh 
having  never  hesitated  before  don't  hesitate  now, 
and  off  they  strip,  placing  their  clothes,  guns  and 
accoutrements  on  a  small  rait,  and  into  the  river  they 
plunge,  and  soon  the  regiment  is  on  the  opposite 
bank  safe  and  sound,  though  one  man  belonging  to 
Company  H,  (we  will  not  name  him)  came  very  near 
drowning.     Not  being  a  good  swimmer  he  was  urged 
not    to    venture,     but    remembering    the  reply*  of 
Colonel  Eowett  to  the  General,  he  resolved  to  try  it 
that  he   might    not  be  discarded    and    considered 
unworthy  his  membership  in  the  Seventh,  and  into 
the  river  he  goes.     He  struggles  for  life  but  makes  no 
headway,  drifting  down  to  the  raft  rope,  by  which  he, 
with  the  aid   of   two   of   his   comrades,  succeeds  in 
saving  himself;  and  the  Colonel,  notwithstanding  his 


158  HISTORY   OF   THE 

reply  to  the  General,  concludes  not  to  banish 
him,  inasmuch  as  he  had  the  courage  to  try.  As  soon 
at  the  regiment  is  over  and  dressed  we  go  into  camp 
a  short  distance  from  the  river.  The  teams  are 
ferried  across  on  the  constructed  raft,  and  when  we  get 
our  supper  we  lie  down  to  rest.  The  Pioneer  Corps 
are  kept  busy  all  night,  crossing  teams,  troops,  wag- 
ons, &G. 

May  1st,  1863. — Our  brigade  is  in  the  advance  this 
morning.  Notwithstanding  so  many  are  foot  sore 
we  march  briskly,  and  arriving  at  luka  about  noon  we 
halt  and  wait  for  the  train  and  the  rear  to  come  up. 
Thousands  of  freedmen,  exiles  from  bondage,  are  now 
following  the  command.  They  dream  of  freedom, 
and  their  hopes  beat  high  ;  they  are  building  castles 
in  the  air,  but  we  imagine  that  they  will  be 
disappointed  in  their  ideal  of  freedom.  After 
the  train  and  the  rear  come  up  we  proceed 
to  Burnsville,  and  go  into  camp,  Oh !  how 
weary  the  soldiers  are  to  night,  and  no  rations,  only 
ten  pounds  of  meal  to  the  company  is  all  we  have, 
and  twenty  miles  from  Corinth — things  appear  some- 
what bilious.  What  mean  these  shouts  from  the 
camps  on  the  surrounding  hills,  that  are  now  rend- 
ing the  air  ?  We  listen,  and  we  hear  a  train  coming  up 
the  road  from  Corinth.  It  comes  loaded  with 
supplies,  and  all  are  made  to  wear  a  pleasing  smile,  for 
now  we  have  plenty  to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  the 
inner  man;  and  to  night  for  the  first  time  since 
leaving  our  camp  at  Town  Creek,  we  lie  down 
without  being  too  hungry  to  sleep. 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  159 

Saturday,  2d. — This  morning  all  are  roused  up  early. 
The  barefooted  and  footsore  men  receive  transporta- 
tion on  the  cars  for  Corinth,  which  thins  the  command 
considerably.  The  entire  command  reaches  Corinth 
about  5  o'clock,  and  never  was  the  ship  wrecked 
mariner  more  glad  to  see  land  than  was  the  Second 
Division  to  see  Corinth. 

Sunday,  3d. — This  morning  after  the  boys 
clean  up  the  camp  and  arrange  things  in  order, 
they  write  to  their  friends.  All  have  a  little 
romance  and  history  to  write — a  long  inarch — 
sleepless  nights — the  beautiful  country — the  blooming 
groves — the  gushing  springs  and  the  leaping  fountains 
— wading  creeks — fighting  battles — sweeping  a 
valley — carrying  a  sword  in  one  hand  and  a  torch 
in  the  other — staining  the  roads  and  the  projecting 
rocks  with  blood — swimming  a  river,  and  a  hundred 
other  minor  incidents  are  now  being  painted  in  pen 
pictures  for  those  at  home. 

Monday,  4th. — All  is  quiet  this  morning  ;  the 
order  is  to  prepare  for  muster  and  inspection.  The 
men  are  now  busy  cleaning  up  their  guns  and  accou- 
trements. Everything  seems  to  move  smoothly  along 
now  at  Corinth.  The  news  from  the  north  is  cheer- 
ing, from  the  fact  that  we  are  assured  that  the  loyal 
people  are  more  deeply  aroused  to  the  importance 
of  the  hour  that  will  tell  of  ihe  greatest  trial  through 
which  liberty  has  passed  for  centuries. 

Tuesday,  5th. — To-day  northern  papers  are 
received  containing  Burnside's  General  order  No. 
38,  for  the  benefit  of  Ohio's  devilish  democracy. 
We  deem  it  a  good  cure  for  treason  and  traitors,  and 


160  HISTORY   OF   THE 

we  all  hope  that  it  will  be  enforced  to  the  lettei^  and 
that  the  leading  light  of  modern  democracy,  C.  L. 
Vallandigham,  will  become  a  victim  to  its  force. 
All  hail,  Burnside  !  as  the  honest  general  who  dares 
to  do  right — who  dares  to  prosecute  the  war  with 
an  earnest  determination — who  dares  to  punish  trai- 
tors in  the  north  !  They  may  tell  us  the  war  is  a 
failure — that  the  great  Union  is  declining — that  the 
gallant  dead  have  died  in  vain — that  they  have 
closed  their  eyes  in  death,  dishonored  men  ;  they 
may  say,  as  has  been  said  by  Miller,  in  the  Illinois 
Legislative  chamber,  that  the  time  will  come  when 
the  surviving  Union  soldier  will  be  ashamed  to  hold 
up  his  head  and  say  he  took  a  part  in  the  war  for 
the  Union,  but  we  catch  the  spirit  of  prophecy  and 
say  that  the  time  will  come  when  modern  democracy 
as  a  party  will  be  branded  as  a  gigantic  liar — that 
the  time  will  come  when  the  children  of  the  soldiers 
and  sailors  who  battled  on  land  and  sea  for  the  repub- 
lican idea,  will,  in  the  language  of  Grace  Greenwood, 
date  their  rights  to  nobility  back  to  grander  battle- 
fields than  Agincourt  or  Bannockburn.  Many  a 
coat  of  arms  in  the  future  will  have  one  sleeve  hang- 
ing empty.  We  may  picture  to  ourselves  a  group 
of  noble  young  lads,  some  ten  years  hence,  thus 
proudly  accounting  for  their  orphanage — an  orphan- 
age which  the  country  should  see  to  it  should  not 
become  destitue.  Says  one,  my  father  fell  fighting 
with  Wallace  in  the  Wilderness  of  Shiloh ;  says 
another,  my  father  fought  with  Hooker,  when  his 
guns  flashed  flame  in  midnight  darkness  over  Look- 
out Mountain  ;  another,  my  father  suffered  martyr- 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  161 

dom  in  Libby  Prison ;  and  another,  my  father  was 
rocked  to  sleep  beneath  the  wayes  in  the  iron  cradle 
of  the  monitor.  Then  there  will  be  hapless  lads 
who  will  steal  away  and  in  the  bitterness  of  soul  will 
say,  alas,  for  me  !  I  have  no  such  gloryings;  my  father 
was  a  rebel  who  fought  against  the  flag  of  the  Union; 
and  there  will  be  another  class  still  more  unfortunate, 
who  will  utter  the  pitying  wail,  oh !  my  God,  help 
me !  my  father  was  a  cowardly  northern  copperhead, 
who  denounced  the  defenders  of  the  Union  as  hire- 
lings and  vandals.  Yes,  and  the  time  will  come 
when  the  record  of  modern  democracy  in  these 
years  of  war  will  be  sought  to  be  buried  and  con- 
signed to  the  "dead  past,"  when  this  treasonable  fac- 
tion will  pander  to  those  men  who  saved  the  Union 
when  they  sought  its  life.  They  will  feign  to  drop 
tears  over  the  graves  of  those  they  murdered,  and 
utter  hypocritical  words  of  sympathy  to  the  widows 
and  orphans  whom  they  insulted  when  the  Republic 
was  passing  through  the  long  night  of  war.  Soldiers 
of  the  Union,  mark  the  prophecy. 

The  following  extract  from  a  communication 
written  by  a  soldier  of  the  Seventh,  may  not  be  inap- 
propriate to  these  pages  : 


CAMP  SEVENTH  ILL.  VOL.  INFANTRY,  ) 
CORINTH,  Miss.,  MAY  1,  1863.      ) 
"While  sitting  here  in  my  quarters  near  the  once 
beautiful  but  now  desolate  city  of  Corinth,  I  have 
been  thinking   of  my  country's  troubles,  and  of  the 


162  HISTORY    OF    THE 

mad  ambition  of  wicked  men  to  ride  to  power  over 
the  ruins  of  the  American  Union  ;  who  are  striving 
to  subvert  civil  liberty,  inaugurate  a  despotism  and 
shut  the  gates  of  mercy  upon  down-trodden  people. 
But  when  I  look  to  the  front  where  the  Union  armies 
are  struggling  as  armies  have  scarcely  ever  struggled, 
struggling  for  the  world's  last  and  only  hope,  I  feel 
hopeful,  for  I  know  all  goes  well  there  ;  no  political 
strife  troubles  them,  but  all  are  of  one  mind,  one  aim, 
one  faith  and  one  hope.  That  mind  is  for  the  salva- 
tion of  the  Union — that  aim  is  to  transmit  it  unirn- 
pared  to  posterity — that  faith  is  that  this  Union  will 
be  saved — saved  from  despotism — saved  from  slave- 
ry's black  curse.  That  hope  is  that  Omnipotence 
will  soon  smile  upon  these  fields  of  blood,  and  sus- 
tain liberty  with  His  heart  and  hand — will  soon  check 
the  tide  of  war  and  stay  this  great  sacrifice  of  human 
life,  giving  to  us  a  peace — a  happy,  glorious,  con- 
quered peace.  But  when  I  look  to  its  .rear  around 
the  home  of  my  childhood,  and  behold  there  so 
many  comforting,  and  thereby  giving  aid  to  those 
who  are  waging  the  wicked  war  against  the  flag  of 
my  country,  my  heart  is  made  sad,  and  I  am 
prompted  to  exclaim  oh  !  my  country  !  my  country ! 
will  she  live?  will  she  pass  safely  through  this  night 
of  war?  will  the  graves  that  have  been  made,  the 
prayers  that  have  been  offered,  and  the  tears  that 
have  been  shed,  be  made,  offered  and  shed  in  vain? 
We  answer  that  with  a  united  north  the  great  repub- 
lic of  the  west  wrill  live,  and  the  future  will  see  it 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  163 

standing  peerless  amid  the  grand  galaxy  of  nations, 
fulfilling  a  destiny  that  will  illumine  with  its  magnifi- 
cent splendor  the  whole  world,  and  shed  its  blessings 
of  peace  and  prosperity  upon  generations  yet  unborn. 

"Loyal  people,  the  appeal  that  goes  np  to  you  from 
this  southland — that  goes  up  from  camp  and  grave, 
from  hospital  and  prison  pen,  is  couched  in  this  lan- 
guage, Oh  !  stand  firm  ;  do  not  abandon  the  Union 
to  the  mad  men;  do  not  forsake  liberty  in  its  present 
great  trial ;  do.  not  cast  a  shade  upon  our  last  rest- 
ing place;  be  true,  oh  !  be  true  to  the  cause  for  which 
we  gave  our  lives  a  willing  sacrifice  ;  listen  not  to 
the  hair-splitting  technicalities  and  specious  sophis- 
tries of  corrupt  and  unprincipled  men.  The  sol- 
diers have  watched  and  are  watching  the  northern 
traitors — their  course  in  Congress  is  remembered — 
how  they  refused  support  to  those  brave  men  whose 
life-blood  tinted  the  waters  of  the  Potomac  when 
rebel  guns  thundered  over  the  heights  of  Arlington, 
sending  echoes  of  treason  away  to  Washington's 
tomb.  "We  remember  how  they  have  slandered  the 
brave  men  who  died  that  this  nation  might  not 
perish  from  the  earth." 

To-day  we  were  shown  a  letter  from  one  of  the 
lights  of  modern  democracy  in  Logan  County,  urging 
a  soldier  to  desert  the  hireling  abolition  army,  and 
not  disgrace  his  friends  any  longer,  telling  him  that 
the  war  was  a  failure,  and  for  him  to  return  to  the 
house  of  his  iriends.  The  reply  was  made,  "I  am  a 
man,  and  no  consideration  offered  by  modern  democ- 


164  HISTORY    OF    THE 

racy  can  tempt  ine  to  desert  the  banner  of  freedom. 
What !  disgrace  my  friends !  I  to-day  disown  all  who 
would,  like  you,  urge  me  to  barter  away  my  man- 
hood. You  tell  me  the  war  is  a  failure;  you  evidently 
base  your  judgment  upon  its  prolongation.  This  does 
not  discourage  me  ;  I  remember  that  it  took  eight 
years  to  establish  the  first  independence,  but  what 
would  twenty  years  be  in  permanently  establishing 
a  government  that  may  in  time  revolutionize  the 
civilized  world  ?  "When  you  and  your  traitor  friends, 
conscience  stricken  and  seared  with  crime  and  sin, 
shall,  as  an  apt  illustration  of  latter-day  so-called 
democracy,  go  down  to  the  grave,  over  your 
head  should  be  written,  'Here  sleeps  a  modern  dem- 
ocrat ;  and  may  the  winds  of  heaven  never  kiss  his 
solitary  abode,  nor  the  worms  feed  upon  that  flesh 
that  will  in  all  coming  time  be  the  scorn  and  derision 
of  mankind  ;  may  he  not  be  permitted  to  come  forth 
in  the  resurrection  morning,  but  may  he  sleep  on, 
unmourned  and  forgotten  forever.'  In  conclusison, 
I  would  urge  loyal  men  everywhere  not  to  listen  to 
the  clamor  for  peace  and  compromise,  for  that  means 
a  withdrawal  of  the  Union  armies  and  to  give  up  the 
struggle  and  acknowledge  the  independence  of  the 
south.  From  the  commencement  of  the  war  up  to 
the  present  time,  we,  the  soldiers  of  Illinois,  have 
helped  to  fight  the  great  battles  for  the  Union — we 
have  seen  our  comrades  bleed  and  die — we  have 
trod  in  their  heart's  blood — have  passed  through 
many  sleepless  nights,  watching  and  waiting,  but 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  165 

the  war  still  lingers  on,  the  south  with  its  wild 
legions  still  struggles  for  dominion,  and  yet  while 
shouts  of  victory  ascend  from  crimson  battle-fields, 
designing  men  would  have  us  compromise,  would 
have  us  concede  to  the  murderers  and  assassins. 
Shall  we  do  it  ?  The  loyal  people  say  no ;  a  voice 
from  every  battle  field,  and  from  the  waters  where 
moved  the-  men  of  war,  cries  no.  But  may  a 
morning  with  a  conquered  peace  soon  dawn,  when 
we  can  behold  our  flag  floating  over  every  sea,  the 
pride  of  a  victorious  people  and  the  envy  of  the 
world." 

Wednesday,  Gth. — To-day  all  is  quiet,  save  now 
and  then  a  cheer  caused  by  some  rumor  created  for 
the  occasion  by  some  mischievous  soldier:  In  the 
evening  a  chilling  rain  commences  to  fall.  The 
night  is  dark,  the  winds  keep  sighing  like  some 
crushed  spirit.  We  sit  by  a  slow  glimmering  camp- 
fire  and  think  of  the  happy  years  when  the  country 
was  at  peace  ;  we  think  of  the  clouds  "of  war  that 
hang  over  a  land  that  has  been  looked  to  as  a  land 
of  promise  by  the  chained  and  crushed  ones  of  earth. 
We  look  around  us  and  behold  rows  of  muskets, 
which  seem  to  tell  us  that  ere  long  they  will  be 
pointed  at  the  breasts  of  men,  and  why,  oh !  why  ? 
can  it  thus  be  that  men  of  one  common  blood 
brothers  of  one  common  family,  will  engage  in  deadly 
strife  and  seek  each  other's  life  ?  But  so  it  has  ever 
been  through  all  the  intricate  course  of  empires 
down  to  the  present  time  ;  first  a  conflict  of  ideas, 
then  a  conflict  of  arms.  War  seems  to  be  a  nation's 


166  HISTORY    OF    THE 

highest  tribunal,  and  a  fierce  ordeal  it  is  through 
which  to  arrive  at  justice,  but  nations  must  pass 
through  this  ordeal.  The  conflict  between  right  and 
wrong,  between  liberty  and  slavery,  have  produced 
champions  and  advocates  who  have  been  unwilling 
to  yield,  hence  a  rush  to  arms  to  settle  the  con- 
troversy. 

Thursday,  7th. — Nothing  but  a  dull  monotony 
reigns  in  camp  to-day.  The  hours  glide  wearily 
along.  We  all  hope  lor  a  change  ere  long,  for  this 
remaining  in  camp  so  long  at  one  place  is  becoming 
tiresome.  This  evening  we  receive  a  mail  which 
brings  cheer  and  sunshine  to  many  a  soldier — letters 
that  tell  us  of  hearts  beating  true  to  the  cause  of 
freedom  and'  Union — letters  that  tell  us  of  hearts 
that  go  out  for  the  soldiers — of  hearts  that  are  sad 
when  battles  are  lost,  and  the  flag  is  made  to  droop 
over  the  noble  slain.  These  letters  tell  us  that  the 
great  north  will  not  let  these  sacrifices  be  made  in 
vain — that  they  will  not  permit  the  names  of  the 
Union's  defenders  to  be  forgotten. 

Friday,  8th. — The  news  from  the  armies  is  becom- 
ing more  cheering.  The  political  sky  seems  to  be 
clearing  up.  The  word  comes  again,  "Onward  to 
Richmond."  We  expect  to  hear  of  great  battles  ere 
long — battles  that  will  make  the  loyal  hearts  through- 
out the  Union  leap  with  joy — battles  that  will  shake 
the  confederacy  to  its  very  center.  And  yet  how  sad 
it  is  to  know  that  hearts  that  throb  lightly  now  will 
before  many  days  be  cold  in  death — will  have  ceased 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  167 

their  beating,  because  of  the  wicked  ambition  of 
men.  Modern  democracy  will  smile  when  the  tide 
ot  war  sweeps  them  down,  but  good  men  will  drop 
tears  to  their  memory,  knowing  that  they  died  strug- 
gling for  the  advance  of  free  thought  and  Christian 
civilization;  and  over  their  graves  will  be  written, 
"Defenders  of  the  Union,  and  benefactors  of  a 
redeemed  and  disenthralled  race." 

Sunday,  May  10th. — Since  our  return  from  the 
Tuscumbia  Yalley  nothing  of  interest  has  occurred 
until  to  day  ;  naming  bulletins  are  now  flying  every- 
where exciting  loud  huzzas  from  the  soldiers  in  and 
around  Corinth.  "Kichmond  fallen,"  "  Stoneman 
occupying  the  city,"  "the  stars  and  stripes  floating 
over  the  ramparts,"  "  Yalandigham  arrested,  &c." 
Everything  seems  perfectly  wild  to  night,  and 
loud  acclamations  rend  the  air  for  Hooker. 
Bonfires  are  burning  in  every  direction.  The 
excitement  beggars  discription.  Cheers  are  heard 
everywhere  for  Hooker,  Burnside  and  No.  38  ; 
for  the  arrest  of  Ohio's  arch  traitor,  the  seared  and 
corrupt  hearted,  sycophant,  C.  L.  Yallandigham. 
May  he  be  banished  and  be  compelled  to  go  creep- 
ing and  whining  through  the  back  grounds  of  an 
English  aristocracy,  there  to  be  execrated  and 
condemned  by  all  liberty  loving  people,  for  the  igno- 
ble part  he  played  upon  the  American  stage ;  and 
when  peace  shall  have  returned  to  a  stricken  people, 
should  this  traitor  leader  on  the  northern  line  return 
among  America's  loyal  people,  may  the  widow  and 


168  HI8TOEY  OF  THE 

the  orphan  child  say,  there  goes  the  traitor  Vallan- 
digham,  who,  when  our  loved  and  lost  were  being 
submerged  by  war's  crimson  wave,  was  standing 
upon  the  American  Congress  ftoor,  saving  that  he 
would  sooner  see  them  die  and  the  flag  go  down 
than  vote  one  dollar  for  the  prosecution  of  the  war. 
Sad,  sad  record  for  one  of  the  republic's  sons! 


CHAPTER  X. 

Move  from  Corinth — Camp  at  Bethel,  Tennessee — Visit  of  Adju- 
tant General  Thomas — The  evacuation  of  the  Mobile  and  Ohio 
Railroad — Return  to  Corinth — Cornyn's  raid — His  laconic  let- 
ter to  Colonel  Riffle,  C.  S.  A — His  conversation  with  the  Ala- 
bama D.  D. — The  Seventh  mounted — The  mules — Rowett's 
first  raid — Camp  on  Hortan's  plantation — Camp  at  Cotton 
Ridge — Camp  at  Henderson — The  charge  into  Montezuma — 
Camp  at  Fort  Hooker — Return  to  Corinth — News  from  Vicks- 
burg — Tl^c  raid  of  the  rebels  on  the  Government  corral — The 
pursuit — Return  to  Corinth — Another  raid  into  West  Tennessee 
— Camp  at  Hamburg — Passing  the  old  battle-field  of  Shiloh — 
Camp  on  Gravel  Hill — Return  to  Corinth — The  execution  of  a 
deserter — Preparations  for  another  expedition — Leaving  Cor- 
inth— Camp  at  Lexington — The  arrival  of  Hatch  and  Phillips — 
Rowett  and  Hatch  sweeping  the  country — Camp  near  Hunt- 
ington — The  little  girls  at  Huntington — Camp  near  Louisville 
and  Memphis  Railroad — Arrival  at  Trenton — Camp  at  Gibson — 
Camp  at  the  town  mills — Grinding  corn — Return  to  Corinth — 
The  boldness  of  the  guerrillas — Major  Estabrook's  raid — Pass- 
ing through  Adamsville — Jack  Creek — Johnson's  Mills — The 
guerrillas — Camp  at  Henderson — The  attack  of  the  guerrillas — 
Return  to  Corinth — Rowett's  raid  with  the  Seventh  Illinois  and 
Kansas  Jayhawkers — Camp  at  Fort  Hooker — Pass  through  Hen- 
derson— Camp  at  Mifflin — Killing  of  Sergeant  Pickett — At 
Jack  Creek — Pursuing  Colonel  Newsom — The  fight  at  Swallow's 
Bluff—  Returning  te  Corinth — Captain  Clark  attacked  at  Purdy 
— Return  to  Corinth — Leaving  for  Chewalla,  Tennessee — 
Camp  at  Chewalla — Returning  again  to  Corinth  and  going  into 
our  old  quarters — The  arrival  and  movement  of  troops — Indi- 
cations of  an  aggressive  movement. 

May  13th,  1863. — To-day  the  regiment  is  ordered  to 
prepare  to  move  from  Corinth  with  camp  and  garrison 
8 


170  HISTORY    OF   THB 

equipage.  In  the  afternoon  Companies  E,  B  and  C, 
proceed  by  rail  to  Henderson,  Tennessee,  a  station 
on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad.  In  the  evening 
the  remaining  companies  load  their  camp  and  garri- 
son equipage  on  the  cars,  ready  to  start  in  the  morn- 
ing for  Bethel,  Tennesssee,  on  the  same  road,  four 
miles  above  Henderson  towards  Corinth.  The  news 
comes  to-night  that  Hooker  has  re-crossed  the  Rappa- 
hannock ;  that  Stoneman  has  been  driven  back,  and 
that  yet  the  rebel  government  holds  sway  in  Rich- 
mond. So  much  for  rumor.  Hooker  is  dropped  now 
and  the  acclamations  of  the  Seventh  are  confined  to 
"  Burnside  and  No.  38,"  and  for  the  arrest  of  Vallan- 
digham. 

Thursday,  14th. — This  morning  we  take  the  train 
for  Bethel,  and  in  about  one  hour  we  arrive  at  this 
outpost  and  are  conducted  to  the  barracks  lately 
vacated  by  the  Forty-third  Ohio.  We  find  the  Sev- 
enth Iowa  stationed  here,  who  very  cordially  welcome 
the  Seventh  Illinois  as  their  "  Brother  Crampers." 
The  two  Sevenths  soon  come  to  a  mutual  conclusion 
that  they  can  run  this  part  of  the  line  and  impart 
general  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  It  is  said  that 
smiles  are  not  wanting  for  the  "vandals"  in  these 
parts.  In  the  afternoon  the  regiment  is  paraded  to 
receive  Adjutant  General  Thomas,  who  is  expected 
to  arrive  on  the  afternoon  train.  After  his  arrival 
and  reception  by  the  troops,  he  addresses  us  for  a 
short  time  upon  the  issues  growing  out  of  the  eman- 
cipation proclamation,  and  then  proceeds  on  his  way 
towards  Corinth. 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  171 

"We  remain  at  Bethel  from  the  fourteenth  of  May 
until  June  7th,  1863.  The  Seventh  will  long  remem- 
ber Bethel  and  Henderson,  Tennessee.  How  they 
stood  picket;  how  they  patroled  the  railroad;  how 
they  drilled ;  how  they  run  the  lines  and  sallied  forth 
into  the  country ;  how  they  mingled  with  the  chivalry 
and  partook  of  their  hospitality;  how  they  sat  down 
and  talked  with  the  beautiful,  and  how  they  listened 
to  their  music,  "  Bonnie  Blue  Flag  "  and  "Belmont;" 
how  the  citizens  flocked  to  our  lines ;  how  the  boys 
traded  "  Scotch  snuff"  to  the  gentle  ones  for  chick- 
ens, butter  and  eggs.  Yes,  Bethel  and  Henderson 
will  long  live  on  memory's  page.  • 

June  7th. — The  work  of  evacuating  the  Mobile 
and  Ohio  Kailroad  is  now  going  on.  Having  been 
ordered  to  move  again  with  camp  and  garrison  equip- 
age, we  this  morning  long  before  it  is  light,  take 
the  train  for  Corinth.  The  Twelfth  Illinois  having 
been  ordered  to  Pocahontas,  Tennessee,  on  the  Mem- 
phis and  Charleston  Railroad,  our  regiment  is 
quartered  in  their  barracks.  The  Twelfth  had  things 
arranged  in  style,  so  that  everything  presents  a  good 
appearance;  the  locality  is  fine,  having  a  beautiful 
view  of  the  romantic  looking  Corinth,  and  the  battle 
field  of  October  4th,  1862. 

June  llth. — From  day  to  clay  nothing  but  the 
weary  routine  of  camp  and  picket  duty  greets  us — rain 
or  shine  the  same  continual  thing — no  relaxation. 
But  such  is  the  soldier's  life.  These  sleepless  nights, 
surrounded  by  a  chilling  atmosphere,  incident  to  the 
climate,  watching  for  lurking  traitors,  is  not  an  envi- 


172  HISTORY   OF   THE 

able  life ;  but  cheerfully  the  sentry  paces  his  lonely 
path,  and  when  his  hours  are  up  he  rolls  in  his  blan- 
ket upon  the  cold  damp  ground,  and  is  soon  lost  in 
dreams,  perhaps  of  home,  perhaps  of  battles,  the 
clash  of  steel  and  the  roar  of  cannon. 

Monday,  15th. — The  late  raid  of  the  dashing  Cor- 
nyn  to  Florence,  Alabama,  is  attracting  considerable 
attention.  Though  it  may  be  diverging,  we  would 
ask  the  reader  to  indulge  us  in  recording  here 
Colonel  Cornyn's  laconic  letter,  written  while  at 
Florence  to  Colonel  Biffle,  commanding  forces  C.  S. 
A.,  which  is  as  follows : 

COLONEL  BIFFLE  : 

Sir — Your  pompous  demand  for  the  surrender  of 
one  squadron  of  cavalry  (Fifteenth  Illinois),  occupy- 
ing this  place,  and  your  cowardly  retreat  before  you 
received  Captain  Carmichael's  reply,  suggested  the 
propriety  of  visiting  upon  the  traitor  citizens  here 
who  tried  to  assist  you  in  the  capture  of  those  gal- 
lant Illinois  boys,  a  little  legitimate  revenge  of  my 
government ;  therefore,  in  the  name  of  our  glorious 
union,  I  hereby  make  good  the  grand  exordium  of 
the  declaration  of  independence,  i.  0.,  "  that  all  men 
are  created  free  and  equal,"  and  to-day  I  free  and 
take  with  me  from  this  place,  every  colored  crea- 
ture who  inherits  with  the  human  race  everywhere 
the  image  of  his  Maker  and  an  immortal  soul. 

FLORENCE  M.  CORNYN, 
Colonel  Commanding  Cavalry  Brigade. 

An  officer  accompanying  the  raid,  rehearsed  to  us 
to-day  the  following  conversation  held  between 
Colonel  Corny n  and  the  Rev.  R.  A.  Y.,  one  of  Ala- 
bama's D.  Ds.,  formerly  of  St.  Louis : 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  173 

Y.  Do  you  not  think  it  horrible  to  shell  a  town 
occupied  by  women  and  children  ? 

Cornyn.  Do  you  not  think  it  horrible  for  a  rebel 
Colonel  and  a  traitor  to  seek  a  town  and  its  houses 
to  make  breastworks  and  cover  for  his  cowardly 
traitors  from  which  to  shell  and  shoot  the  brave  and 
generous  patriots  of  this  land  of  liberty,  who  are 
willing  to  meet  their  country's  enemies  in  open  fields 
every  hour  of  the  night  and  day? 

Y.     I  don't. 

Cornyn.  You  lie,  d — n  you !  You,  the  offspring 
of  some  low  white  libertine  and  a  debauched  Indian 
squaw,  are  trying  to  establish  a  distinction  in  favor 
of  yourself,  a  child  of  shame,  and  the  negro,  a  race 
from  the  hand  of  God,  bearing  his  image  and  ennobled 
by  an  immortal  soul.  The  negro  is  your  superior. 

Y.  Are  my  wife  and  children  safe  while  your 
forces  hold  this  town  ? 

Cornyn.  Yes;  the  brave  are  always  generous, 
and  my  soldiers  are  among  the  brightest  examples 
on  this  planet. 

An  order  comes  to  the  Seventh  this  evening,  to  the 
effect  that  they  are  to  be  mounted  on  "  the  meek 
and  patient  mules."  The  guerrillas  in  West  Ten- 
nessee will  be  hunted  down  now. 

Friday,  19th. — To-day  we  draw  our  mules  and 
saddles ;  now  look  out  for  jayhawking.  The  Kansas 
Seventh  already  fear  for  their  reputation.  Dick 
Kowett  is  already  jubilant,  for  he  knows  that  he  can 
give  more  rein  to  Charley  now. 

Sunday,  21st. — The  "long  ears  "  are  issued  to  the 
different  companies  to-day,  and  in  every  direction  the 
men  are  seen  trying  the  virtue  of  their  steeds.  As 
is  characteristic  of  this  animal,  they  prove  stubborn 


HISTORY    OF    THE 

and  spring  towards  the  "  latter  end,"  and  in  conse- 
quence many  of  the  soldiers  are  elevated.  It  is 
indeed  amusing  to  see  our  donkeys  lunge,  jump, 
"thrust  and  develop."  "We  remarked  to  a  soldier 
this  evening  that  the  mule  was  not  the  patient  crea- 
ture it  seemed,  who,  feeling  inclined  to  defend  the 
mule,  and  who  by  the  way  was  an  observing  soldier, 
replied  that  "  his  mule  was  so  patient  that  it  waited 
three  hours  to  get  a  chance  to  kick  him.  But  the 
Seventh  being  a  conquering  regiment,  soon  subdue 
the  unruly  ones.  The  virtue  of  each  man's  mule  is 
now  being  freely  discussed,  each  soldier  claiming  that 
his  mule  is  a  superior  mule.  All  are  anxious  for  a 
scout  or  a  raid  now ;  ,all  are  of  the  opinion  that  the 
Seventh  on  their  steeds  will  present  quite  an  impos- 
ing cavalcade ;  we  are  sure  they  will  sirike  terror  in 
rebeldom  when  Dick  leads  them  forth.  From  the 
twenty-first  to  the  twenty-eighth  the  regiment  is 
principally  engaged  in  breaking  mules,  &c.,  making 
preparations  to  respond  quickly  to  the  expected  blast 
of  the  bugle. 

Sunday,  28th. — This  morning  companies  F,  Gr,  H, 
I  and  K,  mounted  and  equipped,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Kowett  leave  Corinth.  We  move 
out  on  the  Purdy  road ;  our  mules  travel  finely  ;  at 
noon  we  halt  and  feed  our  mules  out  of  a  rebel  wheat 
field,  after  which  we  pass  on  through  Purdy.  This 
town  shows  marks  of  change  since  we  last  passed 
through  it.  War's  scourge  has  been  felt  here  ;  some 
of  the  finest  mansions  have  been  laid  in  ruins,  which 
is  the  legitimate  vengeance  of  the  loyal  Tennessee 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  175 

cavalry.  Passing  on  some  miles  farther,  we  are 
informed  by  onr  guide,  Captain  Aldridge,  a  loyal 
Tennesseean,  that  we  are  now  two  miles  from  Colonel 
Horton's,  one  of  the  guerrilla  leaders  of  West  Ten- 
nessee, and  that  in  all  probability  he  is  now  at  home ; 
therefore,  Colonel  Rowett,  with  an  intent  if  possible 
to  capture  him,  makes  a  disposition  of  the  companies, 
directing  them  to  file  around  in  different  directions 
and  surround  his  house.  The  house  is  circumvented, 
but  no  Horton  can  be  found.  It  is  night  now,  and 
we  go  into  camp  on  the  plantation ;  a  descent  is  made 
upon  the  corn  pens,  and  also  on  the  garden  and  chick- 
ens. These  proceedings,  of  course,  embitter  the 
family  against  the  soldiers.  The  old  lady's  ever  ready 
weapon  is  soon  plying ;  she  talks  bitterly,  using  the 
words  "vandals,"  "ruffians,"  and  "black  abolition- 
ists," freely.  Finding  that  her  invective  tongue 
proves  powerless,  she  gathers  a  hoe,  attacks  the  men, 
and  of  course  drives  them  from  the  yard  ;  then  com- 
mences on  the  mules  tied  to  the  yard  fence  and  after 
beating  them  awhile  and  seeing  Colonel  Kowett  pass- 
ing through  the  yard,  she  makes  an  assault  upon  him, 
attacking  him  simultaneously  with  her  hoe  and 
wrathful  invectives.  "  You  the  leader  of  these  van- 
dals, clear  out  of  my  yard."  The  affable  Colonel  soon 
succeeded  in  quieting  her,  and  we  believe  he  succeeded 
in  persuading  the  old  lady  to  give  him  his  supper. 
After  the  camp  fires  had  gone  out,  a  company  of  vol- 
unteers, under  the  command  of  Captain  Clark,  of 
Company  D,  are  sent  out,  and  guided  by  Captain 
Aldridge,  they  visit  every  guerrilla  house  in  the 


176  HISTORY   OF    THE 

country  and  succeed  in  capturing  a  Captain  from 
Bragg's  army. 

June  29th. — This  morning  the  command  proceeds 
on  to  Cotton  Ridge,  where  it  is  joined  by  Captains 
Clark  and  Aldridge,  who  were  sent  out  last  night  on 
the  hunt  of  guerrillas.  From  this  ridge  we  move  in 
the  direction  of  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad.  In 
the  evening  we  strike  the  railroad  at  Henderson,  but 
no  guerrillas  are  found,  all  having  fled  to  the  woods. 
The  command  goes  into  camp  on  a  plantation  near 
Henderson.  "We  fare  sumptuously  to-night;  hen- 
roosts and  potato  patches  at  our  disposal.  We  sleep 
in  an  old  cotton  gin ;  the  cotton  is  strewn  every- 
where to  make  beds. 

Tuesday,  30th. — This  morning  we  take  the  road 
for  Bethel,  but  after  riding  about  six  miles  some 
Union  citizens  come  riding  after  us  at  full  speed,  and 
report  a  company  of  guerrillas  at  Montezuma,  about 
four  miles  from  Henderson.  The  Colonel  immedi- 
ately countermarches  the  command,  and  hastens 
back,  and  deploys  and  makes  a  charge  through  the 
town.  But  no  rebels ;  all  have  fled.  It  is  now  noon. 
Colonel  Rowett  divides  the  command  into  small 
squads,  and  putting  them  in  charge  of  our  guide, 
Captain  Aldridge,  they  are  sent  to  the  rebel  houses 
to  get  their  dinners,  and  as  a  matter  of  course  the 
boys  are  supplied  with  the  requisite  necessaries, 
though  they  were  furnished  with  reluctance.  After 
dinner  Colonel  Ro we tt  proceeds  toward  Fort  Hooker, 
where  we  arrive  about  dark  and  go  into  camp. 
Nothing  found  to-day.  Everything  in  the  shape  of 
an  armed  rebel  flees  away  into  the  brush. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  177 

July  1st,  1863. — Early  this  morning,  we  move  on 
the  Purely  road.  A  great  many  citizens  are  now 
following  the  command,  who  have  been  compelled  to 
leave  their  homes  to  seek  protection  within  the 
Union  lines ;  all  because  of  their  adherence  to  the 
old  Union.  About  dark  we  arrive  in  camp  at  Cor- 
inth. All  agree  that  the  mule  is  a  good  institution, 
for  there  is  no  complaining  of  feet  being  sore 
to-night.  All  are  cheerful,  and  eagerly  do  the  boys 
read  the  news  from  Yicksburg,  which  is  indeed 
cheering. 

July  4th. — Early  this  morning  the  stillness  is  inter- 
rupted by  the  national  salute,  for  it  is  the  eighty- 
seventh  anniversary  of  the  nation's  birth.  The  day 
passes  by  pleasantly  without  any  demonstration. 
During  the  evening  it  is  surmised  that  Grant  and  his 
army  have,  with  imposing  grandeur,  celebrated  the 
day.  Yague  rumors  are  on  the  wing  this  evening 
that  Grant  to-day  has  made  another  successful  swing ; 
that  Yicksburg  has  fallen. 

July  6th. — Full  reports  come  to-day  from  Yicks- 
burg ;  how  the  news  cheers  the  soldiers.  Loud  shouts 
are  heard  everywhere;  the  Seventh  feels  proud  to 
know  that  their  history  is  identified  with  Grant  and 
the  army  of  the  Tennessee. 

July  8th. — Last  night  about  four  hundred  of 
Roddy's  command  ventured  to  the  government 
corral,  two  miles  from  Corinth,  capturing  a  company 
of  the  Thirty-ninth  Iowa,  and  drove  off  about  six 
hundred  mules.  Cornyn,  with  his  cavalry,  is  now  in 
hot  pursuit.  In  the  evening  the  Seventh's  bugle 
8* 


178  HISTORY    OF   THE 

blows,  and  we  are  soon  in  the  saddle.  We  travel 
nearly  all  night  on  the  road  leading  towards  luka. 
The  boys  become  very  sleepy,  and  it  is  with  difficulty 
that  they  remain  on  their  mules. 

Thursday,  9th. — This  morning  about  two  o'clock 
we  come  to  a  halt  near  Burnsville,  Mississippi,  and 
send  a  company  forward  to  reconnoitre.  During 
this  time  the  remaining  companies  obtain  some  little 
sleep ;  some  reclining  by  the  road  side,  some  in  the 
road.  Occasionally  a  mule  steps  upon  a  soldier,  and 
then  the  poor  meek  creature  gets  a  set-back.  At  day- 
light the  company  sent  out  returns  without  discover- 
ing anything.  The  bugle  now  blows  and  we  move 
on  a  few  miles  and  halt  upon  a  blue  grass  common  to 
graze  the  mules  and  eat  our  breakfast,  after  which 
we  move  on  to  luka,  where  we  remain  about  one-half 
hour  and  return  to  Burnsville,  halt,  feed,  and  eat  our 
supper.  About  dark  the  bugle  blows  and  the  regi- 
ment is  soon  in  the  saddle.  "We  move  on  to  Glen- 
dale,  halt  and  lie  down  to  obtain  some  rest. 

Friday,  10th. — This  morning  we  move  on  our  way 
to  Corinth;  we  get  back  to  camp  about  nine 
o'clock,  after  a  fruitless  scout.  .  The  four  hundred 
rebels  made  good  their  escape  across  the  Tennessee 
with  all  their  spoils. 

Saturday,  llth. — This  morning  the  companies  send 
details  with  the  mules  out  on  the  commons  to  graze. 
Of  all  the  stubborn  and  aggravating  beings  on  earth, 
the  mule  is  the  chiefest.  It  would  make  a  saint 
swear  to  lead  a  mule.  Whenever  they  discover  a 
a  soldier  is  vexed,  they  draw  back  their  ears  and  look 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  179 

so  provokingly  mean  at  him,  taking  all  the  delight 
imaginable  in  tormenting  and  teasing  their  master. 

Thursday,  16th. — This  morning  Dick  leads  tne 
Seventh  forth  again,  heading  for  West  Tennessee. 
Soon  we.  are  winding  through  the  Mississippi  forests. 
The  weather  is  exceedingly  warm,  and  oh!  how 
dusty  the  roads.  None  can  form  any  clear  concep- 
tion of  the  beauty  ol  a  ride  in  July  save  those  who 
have  witnessed  in  this  month  a  regiment  of  cavalry 
or  mounted  infantry  dashing  along  a  Mississippi  or 
Tennessee  highway.  Arriving  at  Hamburg,  Ten- 
nessee river,  about  dark,  we  go  into  camp  for  the 
night. 

Friday,  17th. — After  eating  our  scanty  breakfast  of 
hard-tack  and  coffee,  the  bugle  is  sounded  and  we 
saddle  up  and  are  on  our  way,  taking  the  road 
towards  Adamsville  via  Shiloh  and  Crump's  Land- 
ing; about  nine  o'clock  we  pass  a  poition  of  the 
great  battle-field  of  Shiloh,  the  place  where  the 
gallant  General  Prentiss  stood  so  long  fighting  as  it 
were  against  hope.  A  melancholy  stillness  per- 
vades the  whole  command  while  passing  this  great 
battle  field,  for  we  remember  that  comrades  sleep 
here.  Oh !  how  vividly  the  day,  the  hour,  thg  even- 
ing, comes  to  our  minds  when  we  saw  them  fall  in  the 
fierce  struggle  for  the  mastery.  As  we  emerge  from 
the  dreary  wilderness,  where  so  many  Union  warriors 
lie  sleeping,  we  are  wont  to  say  in  the  language  of 
Tom  Moore : 

"  Oh  how  blessed  a  warrior  sleeps, 

For  whom  a  wondering  world  shall  weep." 


180  HISTORY   07   THE 

At  noon  we  arrive  at  Adamsville,  but  no  rebels  are 
found ;  i.  e.  hostile  ones.  Everything  seems  quiet. 
We  halt,  feed,  and  eat  our  dinners.  "War  has  also 
made  its  mark  here.  From  appearances  this  has 
been  in  former  times  a  thriving  little  village;  but 
alas !  how  different  now.  Three  o'clock,  we  pass 
through  Purdy  and  move  on  towards  Corinth;  we 
halt  on  Gravel  Hill  and  go  into  camp  for  the  night. 
The  boys  soon  sally  forth,  and  after  being  gone 
awhile  return  with .  plenty  of  oats  and  roasting-ears, 
upon  which  the  mules  and  men  make  their  supper. 

Saturday,  18th. — This  morning  we  proceed  on  our 
way,  and  arrive  in  camp  at  Corinth  about  noon,  much 
disappointed  in  not  finding  any  rebels,  the  design  of 
the  expedition  being  to  cut  off  Colonel  Biffle  and 
Forrest  who  were  retreating  from  Colonels  Hatch  and 
Phillips.  But  like  somebody  else,  we  were  one  day 
too  late. 

Tuesday,  21st. — During  the  time  we  remain  in 
camp,  all  seems  monotonous  and  dull,  scarcely  any- 
thing happening  to  relieve  it.  Every  day  the  boys 
are  seen  wending  their  way  out  of  camp  to  gather 
blackberries,  which  are  very  plentiful  around  Corinth. 

Thursday,  23d. — This  morning  orders  are  issued 
for  all  the  troops  in  and  around  Corinth  to  be 
paraded  on  the  review  ground  by  eight  o'clock,  A.  M., 
to  witness  the  execution  of  one  Johnson,  a  deserter 
from  Company  A,  .First  Alabama  Union  Cavalry. 
At  the  appointed  time  all  the  troops  are  on  the  ground 
and  in  position.  The  sun  shines  intensely  hot,  and 
the  tramp  of  infantry  and  the  galloping  ot  horsemen 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  181 

keeps  in  the  wind  one  dense  cloud  of  smoke.  Soon 
the  procession  with  the  unfortunate  man  appears 
upon  the  ground.  They  march  slowly  along  the 
division  line,  the  doomed  man  walking,  supported  by 
the  Chaplain  of  the  Sixty-sixth  Indiana.  He  has 
the  appearance  of  a  guilty  man — guilty  of  deserting 
the  flag  and  his  comrades.  After  the  procession  has 
passed  the  line,  they  march  to  the  place  of  execu- 
tion ;  the  deserter  is  placed  upon  his  coffin  in  a  sitting 
position.  A  solemn  and  impressive  prayer  is  offered 
by  the  Chaplain  after  which  he  is  blindfolded.  The 
executioners  take  their  position,  the  Provost  Marshal 
gives  the  command,  and  the  man  who  so  unhappily 
erred  from  the  path  of  duty  is  launched  into  eternity. 
May  his  ignominious  death  prove  a  warning  to  all 
who  might  perad venture  be  tempted  to  do  likewise. 

Saturday,  25th. — This  evening  we  receive  orders 
to  prepare  for  another  expedition.  The  boys  are 
now  running  to  and  fro,  getting  everything  in  order 
for  an  expected  fray. 

Sunday,  26th. — This  morning  we  are  aroused  early 
by  the  shrill  notes  of  the  bugle.  By  day-light  the 
Tenth  Missouri  Cavalry.,  Seventh  Kansas,  and  a  bat- 
tallion  of  the  Fifteenth  Illinois  Cavalry  report  to 
Colonel  Rowett,  who  assumes  command  and  leads 
the  column  forth  on  the  Purdy  road.  "We  pass 
through  Purdy  about  3  P.  M.,  and  proceeding  about 
ten  miles  farther  the  command  goes  into  camp  for 
the  night  on  the'  Lexington  road. 

Monday  27th. — We  move  early  this  morning; 
cross  Jack  Creek  about  noon — a  noted  guerrilla  resort. 


182  HISTORY    OF   THE 

As  the  rear  was  crossing,  some  of  the  flankers  were 
fired  upon  by  the  bushwhackers,  and  in  vain  were  our 
efforts  to  capture  them,  they  having  made  good  their 
escape  into  the  brush.  "We  move  on  and  arrive  at 
Lexington  about  four  o'clock,  and  go  into  camp  near 
the  town.  Everything  looks  dreary  and  desolate 
here;  we  see  the  effects  of  war's  ruthless  hand 
everywhere.  The  male  inhabitants  have  nearly  all 
cast  their  destiny  with  the  South  in  her  desperate 
struggle  for  power.  Chivalry's  daughters  seem  to 
rule  the  place,  exhibiting  a  vaunting  defiance.  One 
boasted  that  no  Yankee  vandal  had  ever  soiled  her 
carpet.  A  cavalryman  hearing  her  boast,  soon  dis- 
mounts and  presently  we  hear  the  music  of  huge 
spurs  and  clanking  sabre  coming  from  the  shaded 
corridor;  we  now  hear  in  the  front  room  sharp  and 
bitter  invectives;  they  come  from  fair  chivalry's 
wrathful  tongue,  but  the  stoical  and  stern  soldier 
heeds  them  not,  but  calmly  and  coolly  he  makes  his 
exit,  rides  to  camp,  lights  his  pipe,  sits  down  and 
rehearses  to  his  comrades  his  adventure  through  one 
ol  chivalry's  gorgeous  mansions. 

Tuesday,  28th. — 'This  morning  Colonel  Hatch,  with 
his  cavalry  brigade,  arrives  in  Lexington.  At  eight 
o'clock  A.  M.,  the  bugles  are  blown,  and  the  com- 
mands move  from  Lexington,  Colonel  Hatch  moving 
on  the  road  towards  Huntington,  Colonel  Rowett  on 
the  road  by  the  way  of  Spring  Creek,  Companies  H 
and  A,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Ring,  are 
detailed  to  guard  the  train,  which  is  to  follow  Colonel 
Hatch's  command.  Companies  and  squads  of  sol- 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  183 

diers  are  now  scouring  the  country  for  horses  and 
mules.  The  citizens  plead  their  cases  well,  but  war 
and  the  warriors  are  stern;  they  will  not  relent. 
Rowett  and  Hatch  are  now  sweeping  the  country ; 
innocence  pleads  for  the  avenging  hand  to  be  stayed ; 
its  tears  fall  at  the  warriors'  feet,  but  the  stern  and 
legitimate  work  goes  on.  We  know  that 

"  The  South  has  fallen  from  her  former  glory, 

Bowed  in  slavery,  crime  and  shame  ; 
And  that  God  from  his  storehouse  is  sending 

This  tempest  of  steel  and  flame." 

The  command  goes  into  camp  to-night  near  Hunt- 
ington,  on  a  large  plantation,  i.  e.  that  part  that  is 
with  Colonel  Hatch.  Mules  and  soldiers  live  high 
to-night. 

Wednesday,  29t>h. — Soon  after  breakfast  the  bugle 
is  sounded  and  the  men  are  soon  in  their  saddles ; 
about  eight  o'clock  we  pass  through  Huntington; 
here  we  find  a  great  many  Union  citizens  who  hail 
our  advance  with  joy.  The  little  girls  stand  by  the 
roadside  waving  their  beautiful  little  Union  banners 
as  the  soldiers  in  blue  pass  along.  We  thought 
we  had  never  seen  the  old  flag's  colors  look  so 
brilliant  as  they  appeared  to  us  in  the  hands  of 
those  little,  smiling,  bright  eyed  girls.  They  seemed 
to  love  them  so  fondly ;  loved  them  for  their  beauty ; 
loved  them  for  their  virtue."  Why  do  you  love  that 
flag  so  much,  little  girl ?  "I  love  it  because  it  is  the 
Union's  flag,  and  because  my  father  suffered  and  died 
for  it  at  the  hands  of  the  traitors."  With  these  asso- 
ciations connected  with  the  Union  flag,  their  little 


184  HISTORY   OF  THE 

hearts  seemed  to  worship  it,  and  we  thought  we 
never  beheld  a  more  touching  scene  than  the  little 
girls,  with  their  flags,  standing  by  the  roadside  in 
Huntington,  and  we  imagine  to-night  that  the  years 
will  not  make  the  memory  old.  "We  pass  on  through 
this  place  and  halt  for  dinner  at  Macedonia.  After 
dinner  we  are  told  that  we  will  remain  here  this 
afternoon  to  wait  for  the  arrival  of  Rowett's  Brigade. 
While  so  doing  Captain  Eing  gets  permission  from 
Colonel  Hatch  to  go  out  scouting,  &c.  "We  succeed 
in  capturing  some  fine  secesh  mules,  and  then  return 
to  camp.  Colonel  Rowett  has  now  come  up,  and 
Companies  A  and  H  join  the  regiment.  "We  remain 
in  camp  here  to-night. 

July  30th. — This  morning  we  leave  Macedonia, 
taking  the  road  leading  towards  Trenton.  "We  halt 
for  dinner  at  Ewel's  Cross  Roads.  Moving  on  we 
arrive  at  Dresden,  on  the  Louisville  and  Memphis 
Railroad;  about  six  o'clock  we  go  into  camp  two 
miles  from  the  railroad. 

Friday,  31st. — After  traveling  briskly  all  morning 
we  arrive  at  Trenton  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Rail- 
road. We  notice  that  here  too  war's  scourge  has 
been  felt.  We  press  on  through  and  take  the  road 
leading  to  Jackson ;  about  three  miles  from  Jackson 
we  pass  Hatch's  command.  We  halt  at  Gibson, 
feed,  and  eat  our  dinner ;  we  will  remain  here  all  day. 
Hatch  is  now  moving  on  towards  Humboldt.  To-day 
the  regiment  forages  extensively ;  horses  and  mules 
are  eagerly  sought  after  by  the  Seventh,  and  the  con- 
sequence is  that  the  regiment  is  becoming  well 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  185 

mounted.  Companies  and  squads  are  being  sent  out 
all  day.  It  is  impossible  for  us  to  narrate  the  experi- 
ence of  all  these  scouting  parties,  as  we  could  only 
accompany  one.  "We  follow  a  detail  of  ten  men  this 
evening,  traveling  about  six  miles,  and  succeed  in 
capturing  two  fine  mules ;  one  from  a  negro  who 
was,  by  the  direction  of  his  master,  making  his 
way  to  the  brush.  Cuffee,  "smiling  approvingly," 
says  "  De  massa  Yankee  who  ride  dat  mule  will  be 
well  fixed."  It  is  now  near  sun-down  and  we  are  six 
miles  from  camp ;  but  some  forage,  chickens,  &c.,  we 
must  have.  Stopping  at  a  plantation,  we  make  a  draw 
and  get  a  sack  full  of  pullets,  a  few  hams,  &c.  It  is 
now  dark  and  we  must  hasten ;  but  going  a  short  dis- 
tance a  sable  friend  informs  us  where  we  can  get 
another  mule.  Two  men  are  sent  to  obtain  the  mule, 
and  the  remainder  push  on  towards  camp.  "We  are 
now  on  a  strange  road ;  the  night  is  dark,  but  on  we 
go,  and  after  traveling  about  four  miles  through  the 
dense  woods,  we  strike  the  Jackson  road  at  Gibson. 
"Halt!  who  conies  there?"  breaks  upon  our  ears. 
"  "Who  challenges  ?"  we  reply.  "  Be  it  known  that  we 
are  the  invincibles,  representatives  from  the  Kansas 
Jayhawkers.  Give  us  your  character?"  "We  are 
raiders  from  Kowett's  command."  "Koddy's  com- 
mand!" Click,  click  in  quick  succession  the  triggers 
go.  "D — n  you,  not  Roddy's,  but  Rowett's  com- 
mand," cried  one  of  our  men.  "All  right,  brother 
crampers,  pass  on."  We  soon  arrive  in  camp.  The 
boys  now  make  preparations  to  skin  some  chickens; 
all  anticipate  a  good  supper,  but  when  we  come 


186  HISTORY   OF   THE 

to  look  for  the  pullets  they  are  not  to  be  found.     The 

truth  soon  flashes  upon  us  that  R.  J. became 

frightened  in  the  dense  woods  and  threw  them  away. 
Dear  reader,  imagine  our  disappointment.  It  is  use- 
less to  say  that  R.  J. didn't  rest  much  that 

night. 

August  1st,  1863. — The  advance  is  now  passing 
our  regiment.  It  falls  to  our  lot  to  be  in  the  rear 
to-day.  Soon  we  are  all  in  the  saddle  and  on  the 
road.  At  noon  we  halt  on  one  of  Tennessee's  large 
plantations  to  feed  and  eat  our  dinners.  The  corn 
pens  are  now  mounted,  the  garden  fence  is  scaled, 
the  smoke-house  entered;  the  hams  are  going, 
the  turkeys  are  running  and  chickens  squalling. 
Passing  through  the  yard,  a  fair  one  approaches  us 
and  enquires  for  the  chief  commander.  Of  course 
we  didn't  know,  and  no  one  could  be  found  who  did ; 
but  when  she  discovered  the  corn  pen  rapidly  dimin- 
ishing for  the  benefit  of  Rowett's  two  thousand  mules, 
that  the  boys  in  blue  were  stern  and  determined,  and 
that  her  artful  persuasion  proved  of  no  avail,  she 
seemed  to  resign  calmly  to  the  "fates,"  and  com- 
menced to  talk  quietly  to  the  soldiers.  She  said  she 
loved  the  South,  her  heart  was  with  it  in  its  struggle ; 
that  she  had  two  brothers  who  were  officers  in  the 
Confederate  army,  and  that  she  was  glad  of  it.  But 
she  could  not  bear  to  be  called  a  rebel.  Says  she : 
"  Call  me  not  a  rebel,  but  a  confederate."  After  din- 
ner we  proceed  on  our  way,  cross  the  Mobile  and 
Ohio  Railroad,  and  camp  on  the  road  leading  to  Lex- 
ington. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRT.  187 

August  2d. — This  morning  we  move  on  the  Lex- 
ington road  and  arrive  at  Lexington  about  noon.  The 
command,  with  the  exception  of  the  Seventh,  halt 
and  go  into  camp.  The  Seventh  moves  on  to  the 
town  mills,  about  two  miles  from  Lexington,  where 
we  go  into  camp  and  start  the  mill  to  grinding  corn, 
our  rations  having  run  out. 

August  3d. — This  morning  we  are  ordered  to 
remain  here  and  keep  the  mill  running  until  we  have 
enough  ground  to  do  us  until  we  get  back  to  Corinth. 
Foraging  parties  are  being  sent  out  in  every  direc- 
tion. We  are  now  compelled  to  subsist  wholly  upon 
the  country. 

August  4th. — Early  this  morning  we  are  off  for 
Corinth.  We  go  into  camp  twelve  miles  from 
Purdy.  Our  comrades  and  we  now  sally  forth  to 
get  our  supper;  we  soon  draw  up  at  a  plantation. 
The  lord  of  the  manor  espying  our  uniforms,  wel- 
comes us  and  extends  to  us  his  hospitality,  i.  e.  a 
good  supper,  and  while  partaking  of  his  bounty,  the 
old  lady  stood  picket  for  us,  and  when  leaving,  the 
old  man,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  says,  "  You  are  wel- 
come to  my  house.  The  boys  in  blue  are  men  after 
my  own  heart.  I  have  lived  too  long  under  the  pro- 
tection of  the  old  flag  to  now  rebel  against  it." 
Keturning  to  camp,  a  comrade  rehearses  to  us  his 
adventure ;  that  he  came  across  some  Union  ladies 
this  evening,  who  cheered  them  as  they  rode  up,  told 
them  of  secesh  neighbors,  and  proffered  to  carry  up 
feed  for  their  mules  if  they  would  go  and  take  their 
neighbors'  horses.  The  horses  were  captured. 


188  HISTORY    OF   THE 

This  we  call  true  Union.  God  bless  the  loyal  ladies 
of  the  South !  God  bless  the  loyal  ladies  throughout 
America  for  the  part  they  are  playing  in  the  great 
drama!  Their  prayers  and  tears  are  to-day  doing 
more  to  save  the  Union  than  the  armies  and  navies 
can  do. 

August  5th. — This  morning  we  are  thirty  miles 
from  Corinth.  We  pass  Purdy  about  noon,  halt  and 
feed  close  by,  after  which  we  move  on  and  arrive  in 
camp  at  seven  p.  M.  All  seem  glad  to  get  back  to 
Corinth.  This  morning  we  interest  ourselves  in 
reading  the  letters  that  have  accumulated  during  our 
absence.  These  do  the  soldiers  good,  and  in  conse- 
quence they  are  cheerful  to-night. 

September  3d,  1863. — For  the  last  month  nothing 
but  a  dull  monotony  has  reigned  in  camp,  but  things 
are  now  becoming  more  lively.  The  paymaster  has 
made  his  appearance  ;  green-backs  and  gray-backs 
are  plentiful.  The  latter  now  and  then  dash  from 
their  hiding  places  in  the  brush  upon  the  soldiers. 
Sergeant  Leatherman  and  two  men  belonging  to 
Company  K,  while  out  on  a  detail,  were  captured 
to-day.  Companies  B,  C,  E,  and  K,  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Johnson,  are  now  in  pursuit  of 
the  guerrillas. 

September  4th. — All  quiet  this  morning;  the  com- 
panies sent  out  yesterday  return  this  evening ;  only 
captured  one  guerrilla. 

Friday,  llth. — This  morning  we  receive  orders  to 
get  ready  for  a  scout ;  to  start  at  four,  p.  M.  At  the 
appointed  time  our  regiment,  a  detachment  of  the 


SEVBNTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTE Y.  189 

Third  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  one  company  of  the 
Tenth  Missouri  Cavalry,  under  the  command  of 
Major  Estabrook,  move  from  Corinth  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Adamsville.  It  is  soon  dark ;  we  travel  all 
night ;  at  midnight  our  advance  is  halted  by  a  squad 
of  rebel  soldiers.  Their  character  is  demanded; 
they  reply,  "A  detachment  from  Forrest's  com- 
mand." "All  right,  advance  one."  The  one  is 
captured,  the  remainder  make  their  escape.  About 
three  o'clock  A.  M.,  we  halt  and  lie  down  to  rest, 
weary  and  sleepy. 

Saturday,  12th. — This  morning,  at  the  sound  of 
the  bugle  all  are  on  their  feet.  After  eating  our 
breakfast,  we  move  forward  and  pass  through  Adams- 
ville at  eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  taking  the  road  lead- 
ing towards  Jack  Creek.  The  flankers  and  scouts 
now  and  then  run  into  skulking  squads  of  rebels. 
We  go  into  camp  six  miles  from  Jack  Creek.  This 
evening  Company  I  is  sent  on  a  scout  to  Skinner's 
Mill,  where  they  encounter  and  drive  to  the  bush 
twice  their  number  of  guerrillas.  The  object  of  this 
expedition  is  to  break  up  Newsom's  conscript  arrange- 
ments in  West  Tennessee. 

Sunday,  13th. — This  morning  by  sun-rise  we  are 
moving.  The  advance  encounters  a  squad  of  New- 
som's  band  at  Jack  Creek,  which  is  soon  put  to  flight. 
One  company  is  now  left  with  the  teams,  and  the 
command  dashes  forward,  but  soon  comes  to  a  halt. 
A  dust  is  discovered  ahead.  One  company  is  dis- 
mounted and  deployed  forward,  but  no  enemy  is 
seen ;  all  are  now  far  away  in  the  brush.  The  regi- 


190  HISTORY  OF  THE 

ment  now  hastens  on  as  fast  as  possible  to  Johnson's 
mill.  Here,  also,  our  advance  encounters  a  lurking 
band,  which  quickly  makes  its  exit.  We  halt  here 
for  dinner,  after  which  the  soldiers  commence  on  the 
mill,  and  soon  it  is  destroyed.  No  more  guerrilla 
bands  will  ever  grind  their  corn  here.  The  com- 
mand is  now  divided,  and  ordered  to  leave  Johnson's 
mill  in  different  directions,  and  after  scouring  the 
woods  for  miles  around,  the  different  detachments 
and  companies  concentrate,  but  as  soon  as  done 
a  squad  of  guerrillas  dashes  across  the  road  and 
fire  into  our  rear  as  they  pass.  But  their  buck  and 
small  shot  pass  harmlessly  over  our  heads.  The 
regiment  moves  on  slowly  and  camps  for  the  night 
on  Forked  Deer,  five  miles  from  Henderson.  To- 
night our  pickets  decoy  and  capture  a  rebel  Major,  a 
conscript  officer. 

Monday,  14th. — To-day  companies  are  sent  in 
every  direction,  scouring  the  country  for  rebels. 
Company  H  to-day  capture  the  noted  rebel  Eoss, 
once  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature.  Some  one 
charges  him  as  being  one  of  the  motley  crew  who 
made  such  an  ignoble  'retreat  when  Nelson  made  his 
appearance  in  the  vicinity  of  Nashville,  but  as  it  is  to 
his  credit,  he  denies  the  accusation.  In  the  evening 
the  different  companies  and  scouting  parties  form  a 
junction  at  Henderson  Station,  on  the  Mobile  and 
Ohio  Railroad. 

Tuesday,  15th. — This  morning  we  leave  Hender- 
son. Captain  Ring  is  ordered  to  take  charge  of  the 
the  prisoners,  and  act  as  rear  guard.  Our  captures 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  191 

up  to  this  time  are  about  thirty.  After  leaving  Hen- 
derson, and  while  riding  slowly  along,  bang !  bang ! 
bang !  go  about  thirty  guns,  and  the  bullets  whistle 
harmlessly  over  our  heads  and  leave  their  impress  in 
the  trees  beyond.  The  rear  guard,  consisting  of 
twelve  men  from  company  H  wheel,  and  about  two 
hundred  yards  down  the  road  we  see  coming  and 
yelling  like  so  many  demons,  about  thirty  guerrillas. 
The  men  stand  very  coolly;  the  Enfields  now  com- 
mence rattling.  The  guerrillas  seeing  the  coolness, 
halt,  wheel,  and  away  they  go  into  the  brush.  Soon 
a  company  of  horsemen  come  dashing  back  from  the 
front  (a  company  of  the  Third  Tennessee  Cavalry). 
In  the  meantime  the  guerrillas  ambushed,  and  as  the 
Union  troops  went  charging  through  the  woods,  they 
fire  a  volley  and  away  they  go  through  the  woods 
into  the  swamp,  making  good  their  escape.  By  this 
volley  one  brave  trooper  was  killed.  ec  Oh !  ye  sons 
of  the  South,  boast  of  your  chivalry."  We  leave 
the  fallen  soldier  at  the  house  of  Major  Aldridge, 
(Union)  for  burial.  Thus  we  leave  him  as  a  sacrifice 
at  liberty's  shrine,  in  an  enemy's  country.  Peace  to 
the  brave  trooper's  ashes.  The  bugle  blows  and  the 
regiment  moves  on.  Passing  a  fine  peach  orchard, 
Captain  Ring  gives  three  of  his  men  permission  to 
stop  and  get  some  peaches  for  his  company.  The 
lady  of  the  house  meets  the  boys,  expressing  a  sym- 
pathy for  the  Union  soldiers,  bids  the  boys  take  all 
the  peaches  they  want,  invites  them  to  remain  and 
take  dinner,  and  brings  out  some  milk  and  proffers  it 
to  the  boys.  They  turn  to  go;  her  object  is  partially 


192  HISTOEY  OF  THE 

accomplished ;  the  tramp  of  horsemen  is  heard. 
"  Guerrillas,  boys !"  says  one,  and  they  are  off. 
Bang!  bang!  "halt,  halt,  you  blue  coated  vandals!" 
The  rear  halts  and  wheels,  and  up  the  road  we  see 
the  boys  coming,  the  guerrillas  closely  pursuing,  with 
their  carbines  raised  to  strike  them  on  their  heads. 
Bang !  ban£ !  go  the  Enfields  and  Captain  Ring's 
revolver.  They  suddenly  wheel  and  are  soon  far 
away.  We  succeeded  in  wounding  one,  so  we  con- 
cluded from  the  blood  seen  on  the  road.  The  column 
halts  and  again  cavalry  is  sent  back,  but  they  accom- 
plish nothing.  The  cowardly  rebels  sought  shelter 
in  the  dense  undergrowth,  soon  putting  themselves 
out  of  harm's  way.  !Night  coming  on,  we  go  into 
camp  between  Purdy  and  Corinth. 

Wednesday,  16th. — Early  this  morning  we  are  off 
for  Corinth,  moving  over  the  old  familiar  highway. 
Oh !  how  dusty ;  the  rising  clouds  almost  hide  the 
sun.  We  arrive  at  Corinth  about  noon,  hungry, 
tired,  sleepy  and  miserably  dirty.  The  soldiers  are 
soon  perusing  the  papers,  which  seem  to  tell  us  that 
the  long  dark  night  of  war  is  waning.  The  shouts 
from  the  soldiers  that  roll  from  the  camp  to-night 
are:  "Hurrah  for  Gilmore!"  and  "More  Greek 
fire  for  Charleston !" 

Saturday,  27th. — In  vain  do  we  seek  for  some- 
thing of  interest  to  jot  down  during  the  weary, 
monotonous  days  we  remain  in  camp.  But  this  even- 
ing a  relief  from  this  dull  monotony  comes.  Orders  to 
be  ready  to  march  in  the  morning ;  the  soldiers  are 
cheerful  to-night. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  193 

Sunday,  28th. — Three  o'clock  this  morning  the 
shrill  notes  are  heard ;  all  are  now  in  a  bustle  and 
uproar.  By  day-light  the  Kansas  Seventh  reports  to 
Colonel  Rowett,  and  by  sun-rise  his  troopers  are 
again  moving  on  the  old  Purdy  road  towards  West 
Tennessee.  Nothing  of  note  occurs  through  the 
clay.  We  travel  about  thirty  miles  and  go  into  camp 
at  Fort  Hooker,  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad. 

Monday,  29th. — Early  this  morning  the  command 
is  up  and  ready  to  move  forward.  While  waiting  to 
hear  the  bugle  call,  Sergeant  Flint,  with  his  mind 
ever  ready,  pens  the  following: 

My  girth  is  tight,  my  stirrup  strong, 

My  steed  is  staunch  and  free ; 
I  wait  to  hear  the  bugle  clear, 

To  mount  my  saddle  tree. 

No  soul  to  say  a  la^f  God-speed, 

I  give  no  fond  adieu  ; 
But  only  this,  my  good-bye  kiss, 

My  lady  sweet,  to  you. 

The  saddle  and  the  forest  camp 

Are  now  my  home  once  more  ; 
And  hearts  that  long  were  soft  grow  strong, 

The  bivouac  fire  before. 

And  if  my  breast  in  some  wild  charge 

Should  meet  the  deadly  ball, 
My  mates  will  spread  my  soldier  bed, 

And  lay  me  where  I  fall. 

My  blood  will  be  my  epitaph, 

That  marks  my  jacket  blue  ; 
Read  it  with  pride— He  lived,  he  died, 
For  country,  home  and  you. 
9 


194:  HISTORY   OF   THE 

The  bugle  now  blows  and  we  move  forward  on  the 
road  leading  to  Henderson.  We  pass  through  Hen- 
derson about  noon;  find  all  quiet;  rebels  all  gone; 
just  left,  so  the  citizens  tell  us.  How  singular  it  is 
that  they  vanish  so  soon.  After  leaving  Henderson 
we  take  the  road  leading  towards  Mifnen,  and  when 
about  four  miles  from  Henderson  our  advance  comes 
upon  a  squad  of  five  rebels  at  a  Union  man's  house,  in 
the  act  of  enforcing  the  conscription  act.  "We  succeed 
in  capturing  two  of  them,  the  remaining  three  making 
their  escape  to  the  brush.  In  the  evening  we  go  into 
camp  at  Mifflen,  a  noted  guerrilla  resort,  but  upon 
our  advance  none  were  found.  Perhaps  they  have 
hid  their  guns  and  are  now  playing  the  peaceful  citi- 
zen. The  camp  fires  are  soon  burning  brightly ;  the 
porkers  are  now  making  their  last  earthly  appeal. 
We  eat  our  supper  and  li^down  to  rest.  About  ten 
o'clock,  bang!  bang!  go  the  muskets  on  the  picket 
line.  The  bugle  is  sounded,  and  in  two  minutes  the 
Seventh  is  ready  fcr  a  fray ;  but  no  farther  fray ;  it  is 
all  over  with  now.  A  squad  of  Newsom's  cowardly 
band  crawled  up  and  fired  upon  the  pickets.  One 
soldier,  Sergeant  Pickott,  of  Company  G-,  was  killed. 
Not  being  on  duty  at  the  time,  and  being  a  religious 
young  man,  he  leaves  his  comrades  and  goes  away  a 
short  distance  to  engage  in  secret  prayer,  and  while 
the  Christian  soldier  was  there  kneeling,  one  of  these 
marauding,  uncivilized  guerrillas,  taking  advantage 
of  his  advanced  position,  fired  upon  him,  dealing  a 
mortal  wound  from  which  he  died  in  two  hours, 
leaving  the  freed  spirit  to  take  its  flight  home  to  God. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  195 

Now  his  spirit  has  departed, 
And  from  eyes    unused   to  weeping 
Fall  the  bitter  tears  unheeded, 
For  another  gallant  soldier 
Off  the  picket  guard   forever. 

Tuesday,  29th. — This  morning  the  fallen  soldier's 
comrades  bury  him  in  a  lonely  place.  Thus  is  this 
land  being  dotted  all  over  with  the  Union's  noble 
defenders.  As  we  stand  by  this  soldier's  last  resting 
place  we  are  tempted  to  pray  to  heaven  that  some  blight- 
ing and  dread  malaria  would  settle  on  the  godless 
traitors — that  their  widows  might  weep  until  their 
eyes  are  weary,  waiting  for  the  return  of  their  hus- 
bands— murderers  from  the  field  of  strife.  The  com- 
mand soon  moves.  We  are  now  following  winding 
paths  through  the  woods  and  swamps,  hunting  for 
the  marauding  bands  that  are  infesting  West  Ten- 
nessee. The  regiment  is  now  divided,  moving  in 
different  directions.  About  noon  we  enter  Jack  Creek 
and  capture  three  guerrillas.  We  remain  here  waiting; 
for  the  different  companies  and  detachments  to  come; 
in.  The  junction  formed,  we  move  in  the  direction 
of  Saultilla  Landing,  Tennessee  river.  All  day  we 
have  been  on  the  trail  of  Colonel  Newsom ;  at  one  time 
the  scouts  fired  upon  him  fifteen  or  twenty  shots,  but 
they  failed  in  their  object.  To-night  we  camp  six 
miles  from  the  Tennessee  river. 

Wednesday,  30th. — This  morning  the  command  is 
again  divided  into  detachments  and  directed  to  operate 
on  different  roads.  Colonel  Kowett  with  one  detach- 
ment of  the  command  formed  from  the  Seventh  Illinois 


196  HISTORY  OF  THE 

and  Seventh  Kansas,  moves  with  full  speed  towards 
Swallows  Bluff  to  intercept  a  battalion  of  rebels  said 
to  be  crossing  the  Tennessee  at  that  point.  Coming 
up,  the  Colonel  discovers  that  the  guerrilla  leader  has 
already  succeeded  in  crossing  all  his  horses  and  men 
with  the  exception  of  about  thirty  who  were  now 
waiting  for  their  raft  to  return.  As  soon  as  Kowett 
and  his  troopers  were  seen  above  them  on  the  bluff, 
they  saw  at  once  their  situation,  and  for  the  first  time 
during  our  raids  in  West  Tennessee  the  rebels  offered 
us  battle,  .being  well  protected  by  the  bluff  and  readily 
aided  by  the  more  lucky  portion  of  their  command  on 
the  opposite  shore,  who  were  in  easy  musket  range. 
A  casual  observer  would  not  have  considered  their 
resistance  altogether -hopeless  with  these  advantages 
in  position.  The  Colonel  discovered  at  once  that  to 
capture  them  could  not  be  accomplished  without  a 
fierce  assault.  The  assault  is  made,  the  enemy's 
resistance  is  determined.  Showers  of  leaden  hail 
come  rattling  on  the  bluff  from  beyond  the  river, 
but  they  do  not  check  the  two  Sevenths.  Led  by  the 
gallant  and  fearless  Kowett  they  charge  up  the  bluffs, 
raining  a  shower  of  bullets  from  their  superior  guns 
into  the  rebels  on  the  other  bank.  Some  fall,  and  the 
remainder  retreat  back  under  cover.  A  portion  of  the 
command  with  their  long  range  muskets  succeed  in 
keeping  the  enemy  back  ;  while  the  remaining  portion 
pay  their  attention  to  the  squad  under  the  bluffs  who 
are  soon  compelled  to  run  up  the  white  flag.  Among 
the  number  captured  was  a  Major.  We  soon  dis- 
covered that  this  battalion  belonged  to  the  regular 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  197 

confederate  army,  which  accounted  for  the  stubborn 
resistance.  In  this  encounter  the  Seventh  Kansas 
lost  one  man  killed  and  two  wounded. 

The  entire  command  now  forms  a  junction,  and  with 
•our  prisoners  we  move  on  about  eight  miles  and  go 
into  camp  for  the  night.  It  soon  commences  to  rain, 
threatening  to  be  a  dark  dreary  night  for  the  soldier, 
for  of  course  we  have  no  shelter. 

Thursday,  October  1st,  1863. — It  is  still  raining  this 
morning  and  in  lieu  of  dust  we  have  mud.  We  are 
now  fifty  miles  from  Corinth,  whither  the  advance  is 
headed.  We  arrive  at  Purdy  at  2  P.  M.,  where 
we  find  Captain  Clark  with  Company  "D"  barricaded 
in  the  old  court  house,  where  they  had  been  sent 
yesterday  with  an  ambulance  and  some  sick  soldiers. 
Captain  Clark  informs  us  that  he  was  attacked  by  the 
guerrillas,  but  by  determined  resistance  stood  the 
ground  against  twice  his  number.  Being  well  pro- 
tected no  casualties  occurred.  We  halt  in  the  outskirts 
of  the  town  and  feed,  after  which  we  proceed  on  our 
way  towards  Corinth.  Arrive  in  camp  10  p.  M.,  very 
much  worn  by  the  hard  day's  ride. 

Friday,  2nd. — This  morning  the  bugle  fails  to 
arouse  the  Seventh.  The  sun's  rays  have  long  been 
shining  through  the  crevices  in  the  barracks  ere  they 
awake,  but  by  and  by  the  stern  orders  come  and  the 
Seventh  is  brought  forth.  The  prisoners  (some  forty 
in  number)  having  been  safely  guarded  in  our  oats 
house,  are  to-day  reported  and  turned  over  to  the  Pro- 
vost Marshal.  The  boys  are  busily  engaged  this 
evening  cleaning  up  their  guns  preparatory  to  another 
scout. 


198  HISTORY   OF    THH 

Saturday,  3d. — Last  night  some  guerrillas  made  a 
demonstration  on  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Rail- 
road, burning  a  bridge  between  Chewalla,  Tenn.,  and 
Corinth.  In  the  evening  we  receive  marching  orders 
with  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  destination  Che- 
walla,  to  relieve  the  Eighteenth  Missouri,  now  sta- 
tioned there  guarding  the  railroad. 

Sunday,  4th. — This  morning  at  seven  A.  M.,  we 
leave  our  old  camp  at  Corinth,  with  all  our  camp  and 
garrison  equipage.  The  Seventh,  as  they  move 
through  Corinth  with  their  knapsacks  strapped  to 
their  mules,  and  with  their  long  train  of  pack  mules, 
look  very  much  like  an  immense  caravan  starting  on  a 
pilgrimage.  After  about  three  hours  ride  we  arrive  at 
Chewalla,  finding  fine  quarters  and  fine  grounds,  &c. 
The  Eighteenth  Missouri  are  now  leaving,  and  as  fast 
as  they  vacate  we  take  possession.  This  evening  the 
men  are  busy  cleaning  up  and  arranging  their  quarters 

Friday,  9th. — The  swamps  and  bottoms  along  the 
Tuscumbia  and  the  Hatchie  rivers  are  now  being 
thoroughly  scouted.  The  guerrillas  are  finding  their 
favorite  haunts  hot  quarters.  Go  in  whatever  direc 
tion  we  may,  and  scouting  parties  from  the  Seventh" 
can  be  seen. 

Saturday,  10th. — This  morning  Captain  Ring  pro- 
ceeds with  a  detachment  on  a  scout  towards  the 
Hatchie  river,  but  nothing  hostile  being  discovered,  he 
returns  in  the  evening. 

Friday,  16th. — A  brigade  of  infantry  pass  through 
Chewalla  on  their  way  from  Vicksburg  to  Corinth. 
They  look  as  though  they  had  seen  hard  service  down 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  199 

on  the  Yazoo.  This  evening  the  order  conies  for  five 
companies  to  report  back  to  Corinth. 

Saturday,  17th.—- This  morning  companies  A,  B, 
C,  D  and  E,  proceed  on  their  way  to  Corinth,  com- 
panies F,  Gr,  H,  I  and  K,  remaining  at  Chewalla. 
Troops  from  Yicksburg  keep  passing  through  Che- 
walla  all  day  on  their  way  to  Corinth. 

October  19th. — To-day  the  cheering  news  comes  to 
the  army  that  Ohio's  arch  traitor  has  been  defeated 
by  100  000  majority.  Well  done  Ohio  !  The  Illinois 
boys  send  greeting  to  your  soldiers  who  fought 
the  battle  at  the  ballot  box,  gaining  as  important  a 
victory  over  treason  as  has  been  gained  on  any  of  the 
great  battle  fields.  This  news  carries  cheer  to  every 
soldier's  heart  in  the  tented  field. 

Wednesday,  October  21st. — Last  night  Captain 
Johnson  with  part  of  the  command  started  on  a 
scoiiting  expedition — has  not  returned  yet.  This 
evening  he  returns,  after  giving  the  notori- 
ous guerrilla,  Captain  Smith,  a  chase,  t  capturing 
six  of  his  horses,  but  owing  to  the  dense  under- 
growth of  the  woods,  Smith  and  his  band  made  good 
their  escape. 

Saturday,  24th. — This  morning  our  detachment 
leaves  Chewalla  with  their  camp  and  garrison 
equipage  for  Coriath.  We  again  go  into  our  old 
quarters,  which  we  now  denominate  our  "old  home- 
stead." The  arrival  and  moving  of  troops  seem  to 
instil  new  life  into  Corinth.  TheL  indications  are 
that  some  aggressive  movement  is  contemplated. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

General  Sherman's  command — Marching  orders — Camp  at  Jacinto 
— Camp  at  luka — Payment  of  the  Regiment — On  Picket — For- 
aging— Troops  leaving  luka — Standing  in  the  rain — March  to 
Bastport — Crossing  the  Tennessee — Camp  on  the  hill  side — The 
Regiment  divided  into  detatchments — Baily  Springs — Sergeant 
Hackney  whipped  by  a  woman — The  Seventh  on  the  left  flank 
— The  wild  rocky  country — Arrival  at  Pulaski,  Tennessee — The 
trip  to  Columbia,  Tenn. — Return  to  Pulaski — Trip  to  Corinth 
after  the  division,  camp  and  garrison  equipage — Encountering 
Roddy  and  Johnson — Camp  at  Waterloo — Camp  at  Hamburg 
Landing — Companies  sent  to  Corinth — Returning  to  Pulaski, 
Tenn. — Fray  at  Waynesboro  with  the  Fifth  Tennesssee  Union 
Cavalry — Arrival  at  Pulaski — Lieutenant  Robert's  trip  to  East- 
port,  Tennessee  River — His  narrow  escape,  and  safe  return  to 
Pulaski — The  expedition  to  Lawrenceburg — The  loyal  ladies 
of  the  South — The  Veteran  propositions — The  pulse  of  the  Sev- 
enth— Re-enlistment — The  cry  for  the  mustering  officer— His 
arrival — The  Regiment  mustered  as  Veterans. 

Gen.  Sherman's  command  for  the  last  week  *has 
been  thronging  Corinth,  and  moving  on  towards 
luka.  Marching  orders  is  now  the  cry  in  camp. 
Four  o'clock  P.  M.  we  are  in  the  saddle  with  three 
days'  rations.  General  Dodge's  entire  command  is 
now  in  motion.  Our  regiment  moves  on  the  road 
leading  through  Jacinto,  Mississippi,  to  luka.  Nine 
o'clock  in  the  evening  we  go  into  camp  at  Jacinto. 

Monday,  26th. — This  morning  at  two  o'clock  the 
bugle's  blast  is  heard  and  soon  the  regiment  is  moving 
towards  luka.  At  daylight  we  come  to  a  halt  one 
and  a  half  miles  from  luka  where  we  tie  up  and  feed? 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  201 

after   which  Colonel  Rowett  proceeds  with  the  reg- 
iment to  luka,  and  reports  to  General  Sherman. 

Companies  A,  B,  0,  D,  E,  G  and  K,  go  into  camp 
in  the  woods  west  of  luka.  Companies  H,  I  and  F, 
under  the  command^of  Captain  Johnson,  pass  through 
luka  and  go  into  camp  as  an  out-post,  on  the  road 
leading  south. 

"Wednesday,  28th. — Rumor  has  it  that  the  regiment 
will  be  paid  off  to-day,  and  for  once  rumor  proves 
correct.  Captain  Johnson  receives  orders  to  report 
with  his  detachment  to  regimental  headquarters.  In 
the  afternoon  the  regiment  is  paid. 

Thursday,  29th. — To-day  the  sullen  roar  of  artil- 
lery is  heard  in  the  front,  towards  the-  Tennessee 
river.  The  troops  are  soon  in  motion.  Sherman  and 
staff  are  now  leaving  luka  for  the  advance ;  the  con- 
jectures are  that  a  storm  is  brewing  down  by  the 
Tennessee.  Sherman  .is  now  moving  with  his  army 
to  form  a  junction  with  General  Rosecrans,  and 
the  probabilities  are  that  Bragg  will  attempt  to 
check  him. 

Friday,  October  30th. — This  morning  a  portion  of 
the  Regiment  is  placed  on  picket  duty.  It  is  now 
raining.  The  winds  blow  coldly.  The  day  is  waning. 
A  dismal  night  is  approaching.  Amid  the  fall- 
ing elements,  chilly  and  drear,  the  Seventh  boys 
are  now  standing,  but  all  seem  in  fine  spirits. 
"Their  hearts  beat  high,"  "And  they  heed  not  the 
wild  wind's  wailing  cry."  About  midnight  some  of 
of  Colonel  Spencer's  First  Alabama  Union  regiment 
arrive  at  our  lines — a  sergeant  and  four  privates,  who 
*9 


202  HISTORY   OF    THE 

got  cut  off'  from  their  command  during  Spencer's  late 
fight  with  the  rebel  General  Furgeson,  and  have  ever 
since  been  brushing  it.  It  is  now 

"Past  the  midnight  hour,  and  we  long  to  hear 
The  step  to  the  Soldier's  heart  most  dear — 
A  sound  that  banishes   all  his  grief— 
The  welcome  tread  of  the  "next  relief." 

Ah  !  here  they  come,  and  now  we  can  keep 
Our  next  four  hours  in  the  land  of  sleep, 
And  dream  of  home  and  the  loved  ones  there, 
Who  never  may  know  a  soldier's  care." 

Saturday,  31st. — This  morning,  after  being  relieved 
we  return  to  camp,  dry  our  clothes,  and  seek  some 
rest.  All  quiet  to-day.  Sherman  is  now  making  his 
base  at  Eastport,  Tennessee,  whither  the  transports 
are  now  moving. 

Sunday,  November  1st,  1863. — This  morning  com- 
panies C,  G-  and  H,  commanded  by  Major  Estabrook, 
go  out  on  a  foraging  expedition.  "We  go  about  three 
miles — load  our  wagons  with  corn,  fodder  and  sweet 
potatoes,  and  strap  all  we  can  to  the  mules,  and 
then  start  for  camp.  Entering  camp  the  detachment 
reminds  us  of  what  might  be  called  a  moying  "fodder 
panorama." 

"Wednesday,  4th. — This  morning  companies  H  and 
A  escort  the  Second  Michigan  Battery  out  to  the 
camp  of  the  Fifty-second  Illinois  Infantry.  Rumor 
has  it  now  that  the  troops  will  all  leave  luka  in  the 
morning  for  Eastport,  Tennessee  river.  All  are  in 
confusion  this  evening.  Considerable  excitement 
amongst  sutlers  and  "civilians,"  for  the  order  has 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  203 

come  for  the  command  to  move  to-morrow,  at  7  A.  M. 

Thursday,  5th. — The  bugle  blows  at  early  dawn, 
all  are  soon  up  and  prepared  to  move ;  it  is  now  raining 
in  torrents.  All  the  infantry  are  now  in  motion. 
During  the  morning  the  Seventh  stand  in  the  rain, 
expecting  to  move  every  minute.  "We  wait  and  wait ; 
mid-day  is  now  passed  and  the  Seventh  still  at  luka. 
After  this  standing  in  the  rain  all  day  waiting  for  an 
order  to  move  forward,  we  receive  orders  to  unsaddle 
and  remain  another  night,  and  in  consequence  the 
Seventh  are  far  from  being  in  a  good  humor  this 
evening. 

Friday,  6th. — This  morning,  the  troops  being  all 
gone,  we  leave  luka  for  Eastport,  where  we  arrive 
about  noon.  The  troops  are  now  busy  crossing  the 
river.  We  go  into  camp  for  the  night  with  orders 
to  be  ready  to  cross  early  in  the  morning. 

Saturday  7th. — This  morning  the  Seventh  is 
aroused  early.  Cross  in  twenty  minutes  is  now  the 
order.  We  feed  and  proceed  to  the  river  and  halt 
to][await  our  time.  The  twenty  minutes  have  now 
grown  to  hours.  We  succeed  in  getting  across  the 
river  by  noon,  where  we  go  into  camp,  feed,  and  eat 
our  dinners.  The  last  of  the  army  is  now  across  the 
Tennessee,  moving  on  towards  the  front,  the  Seventh 
bringing  up  the  rear.  We  move  out  about  eight  miles 
and  go  into  camp  on  the  side  of  a  large  hill  (no  other 
place  being  found  where  we  could  tie  our  mules.) 
After  feeding,  and  eating  our  supper,  we  remove  some 
of  the  larger  rocks  and  make  "our  beds."  We  all 
lie  down,  but  it  is  with  difficulty  that  we  maintain  our 


204  HISTORY   OF   THE 

position.  We  predict  that  by  morning  we  shall  be 
down  at  the  foot  ot  the  hill.  All  is  still  now.  Noth- 
ing is  heard  save  the  watchful  sentry's  quiet  tramp. 

Saturday,  8th. — "We  are  aroused  early  this  morning. 
We  are  made  to  conclude  that  the  Seventh  is  indeed 
a  tenacious  regiment,  to  have  held  their  position  so  well 
on  this  hill-side  during  the  night.  None  are  found  at 
the  foot  of  the  hill,  as  was  predicted.  The  mules 
too  have  been  good  in  holding  their  positions.  The 
Seventh  being  ordered  to  take  the  advance,  we  soon 
move  forward,  through  north  Alabama  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Tennessee,  halt  and  feed 
about  twelve  miles  from  Florence,  after  which 
we  move  on,  and  about  three  P.  M.  pass  through 
the  suburbs  of  Florence  ;  we  march  about  six  miles 
farther  and  go  into  camp.  Where  the  main  army  is 
to-night  we  do  not  know.  We  are  now  away  off  on 
the  flank,  isolated  and  alone. 

Monday,  9th. — The  regiment  is  to-day  divided  into 
detachments  and  ordered  to  move  on  different  roads 
on  both  flanks  of  the  army.  About  noon  the  detach- 
ment which  we  accompany  arrives  at  Baily  Springs, 
one  of  chivalry's  fashionable  resorts.  But  we  find 
none  of  her  devotees  pacing  the  building's  dim  corri- 
dors. War's  stern  voice  has  called  them  away. 
The  springs  are  beautiful,  sparkling  with  nature's 
purest  liquid — dashing  in  playful  sprays  from  granite 
rock.  The  weary  soldiers  love  so  well  to  linger 
here — love  to  kneel  at  the  healing  fountain.  After 
feeding  we  move  on  our  way.  Before  entering  the 
main  road  three  men  from  the  detachment  stop  to  do 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  205 

some  foraging,  but  the  chickens  are  difficult  to  capture, 
making  strenuous  efforts  when  pursued  by  a  yankee. 
The  lady  of  the  house  comes  to  the  door  and  smiling 
sweetly  says  :  "Soldiers,  there's  my  little  dog,  he  can 
catch  them  for  you."  "Thank  you,  madam,  we  don't 
want  your  chickens,"  replied  Sergeant  Hackney,  of 
Company  H,  and  the  soldiers  make  their  exit.  How 
well  did  that  woman  know  where  man  was  weak. 
The  column  is  now  moving  on  the  old  "military 
road."  The  main  body  of  the  Seventh  is  now  on 
the"  left  flank.  Striking  out  through  the  woods  and 
brush  we  come  up  with  the  regiment  about  4  p.  M. 
We  go  into  camp  at  8  P.  M. 

Tuesday,  10th. — This  morning  the  Seventh  takes 
the  left  flank,  the  Ninth  Illinois  the  right.  "We  pass 
through  a  wild  country  to-day :  hills  and  rocks  seem 
to  look  frowningly  upon  us.  The  flinty  roads  are 
hard  on  the  mules ;  their  feet  are  becoming  sore.  We 
go  into  camp  to-night  thirty  miles  from  Pulaski, 
Tennessee.  Our  supplies  run  out  to-day,  and  this 
evening  we  draw  largely  from  the  surrounding 
country. 

Wednesday,  llth. — This  morning  a  wagon  with 
rations  arrives  from  the  column — quite  a  welcome 
arrival.  We  discover  that  we  are  now  some  distance 
from  the  main  command.  The  regiment  is  soon 
moving;  we  continue  to  pass  through  a  hilly  and 
rocky  country,  interspersed  with  springs  and  run- 
ning brooks.  We  arrive  at  Pulaski,  Tennessee,  by 
dark;  find  the  division  already  up  and  in  camp. 
Pulaski  is  a  beautiful  town  on  the  Tennessee  and 


206  HISTORY    OF   THE 

Alabama  Eailroad,  running  from  Nashville  to  Ste- 
venson. 

Thursday,  12th. — It  appears  that  our  Division  has 
come  to  a  stand;  that  Sherman  and  his  corps  have 
gone  on  unchecked  to  join  Kosecrans.  In  the  after- 
noon we  move  across  Richland  Creek ;  pass  through 
Pulaski,  and  go  into  camp.  All  quiet  this  evening. 

Friday,  November  13th. — This  morning  a  large 
detail  from  the  regiment,  under  the  command  of 
Major  Estabrook,  reports  to  Colonel  Weaver,  Second 
Iowa,  to  accompany  the  Division  train,  now  headed 
for  Columbia,  Tennessee,  to  draw  supplies.  We  are 
ordered  to  take  the  advance  on  the  pike  running 
through  Columbia  to  Nashville.  Traveling  briskly 
all  day,  we  go  into  camp  for  the  night  six  miles  from 
Columbia. 

Saturday,  14th. — Early  this  morning  we  move  on 
and  arrive  in  Columbia  about  nine  o'clock.  Columbia 
is  a  beautiful  and  wealthy  town,  situated  on  Duck 
Kiver.  Captain  Carpenter,  Commissary  of  Subsist- 
ence, receives  a  dispatch  informing  him  of  no  sup- 
plies now  on  hand  at  Davis'  Station,  the  point 
beyond  Duck  Kiver  as  far  as  the  trains  from  Nash- 
ville run  on  this  railroad.  We  immediately  cross  the 
river  and  proceed  about  five  miles  from  Columbia  on 
the  Nashville  pike,  and  go  into  camp,  with  orders  to 
remain  there  until  supplies  arrive  from  Nashville. 

Monday,  16th. — This  morning  the  train  arrives  at 
Davis'  Station,  from  Nashville,  with  supplies.  The 
wagons  are  now  being  loaded  up ;  this  evening  all 
being  loaded,  we  receive  orders  to  be  ready  in  the 
morning  to  return  to  Pulaski,  Tennessee. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  207 

Tuesday,  17th. — We  move  early  this  morning ;  it 
takes  some  time  to  cross  Duck  Kiver,  the  river  hav- 
ing risen  considerably.  We  go  into  camp  for  the 
night,  half  way  between  Columbia  and  Pulaski. 

Wednesday,  18th. — By  day -light  the  train  is  mov- 
ing; we  arrive  in  camp  at  Pulaski  by  sun-down,  and 
find  it  deserted,  the  regiment  having  gone  on  a  scout. 

Thursday,  November  19th. — It  is  raining  this 
morning,  but  soon  ceases  and  clears  off;  the  sun  now 
shines  refreshingly.  This  evening  the  regiment 
arrives  back  from  their  scout,  with  thirty  rebels  cap- 
tured at  Lawrenceburg,  Tennessee.  All  seem  in  fine 
spirits ;  much  elated  over  the  success  of  their  expe- 
dition, and  none  more  so  than  Colonel  Kowett,  who 
never  seems  more  in  his  element  than  when  on 
Charley  at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  thundering 
over  the  hills  and  through  the  ravines  of  Tennessee. 
There  is  always  power  felt  where  he  moves. 

Friday,  20th. — The  companies  are  busy  to-day  get- 
ting their  foot-sore  mules  shod,  preparatory  to 
another  expedition,  for  rumor  already  has  it  that  the 
regiment  will  leave  Pulaski  to-morrow  morning  on 
some  mission. 

Saturday,  21st. — ^.gain  rumors  are  verified.  Pur- 
suant to  order,  the  regiment  moves  from  Pulaski  this 
morning  with  three  days'  rations.  It  is  said  we  are 
bound  for  Corinth,  Mississippi,  to  look  after  the  camp 
and  garrison  equipage  belonging  to  the  Second 
Division.  After  travelling  thirty  miles,  we  go  into 
camp  at  Lexington,  Alabama.  As  usual  the  regi- 
ment forages,  and  chickens  still  continue  to  fall  victims 


208  HISTORY   OF    THE 

to  the  Seventh.     We  have  a  good  supper  to-night; 
such  as  soldiers  enjoy. 

Sunday,  22d. — Ere  it  is  light  the  bugle  is  sounded, 
and  after  hastily  dispatching  our  breakfast,  we  move 
on  our  way.  All  along  the  road  to-day  we  encounter 
squads  of  rebels,  scouting  parties  from  Johnson's  and 
Koddy's  commands,  all  of  which  goes  to  prove  that 
the  raiders  Johnson  or  Roddy,  or  both,  are  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Tennessee,  and  in  consequence  we 
anticipate  considerable  opposition  before  we  reach 
our  destination.  Sure  enough,  at  four  o'clock  P.  M., 
our  advance  is  checked.  Colonel  Rowett  soon  dis- 
mounts the  regiments  and  forms  a  battle  line.  Our 
skirmishers  are  advanced  and  firing  soon  commences 
in  every  direction,  sounding  as  though  we  were  sur- 
rounded. A  scout  is  now  seen  dashing  from  the 
brush  to  where  the  Colonel  stands.  He  informs  him 
of  our  danger  a'nd  the  fearful  odds  against  us ;  *  that 
the  rebels  would  soon  »be  upon  us  if  we  remained 
there  any  longer.  The  bugle  is  sounded ;  the  men 
spring  into  their  saddles.  Charley  is  champing  and 
neighing.  The  Colonel's  eye  seems  to  be  every- 
where. He  is  now  dashing  down  the  road,  with  the 
regiment  closely  following.  On  we  go  towards 
Waterloo.  The  rebels  hover  on  our  flanks,  front  and 
rear.  There  is  promiscuous  firing  all  evening. 
They  seem  loth  to  throw  any  considerable  force 
against  us ;  feel  loth  to  try  our  steel.  By  nine  P. 
M.,  we  arrive  at  Waterloo,  four  miles  from  Eastport, 
Tennessee  Eiver.  The  rebels  soon  abandon  their 
expected  game.  At  Waterloo  we  go  into  camp, 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INF  ANTE  Y.  209 

having  traveled  sixty-five  miles  sinee  morning,  cap- 
turing twelve  rebels  during  the  day  and  evening. 

Monday,  23d. — This  morning  we  proceed  to  the 
river,  find  some  transports  and  two  gun-boats  up. 
"We  go  into  camp  here  for  the  night. 

Tuesday,  24:th. — The  regiment  will  not  go  to  Cor- 
inth as  intended;  only  two  companies  will  be  sent. 
This  evening  they  are  taken  across  on  a  steamer. 
All  quiet  this  evening.  It  rains  all  night. 

Wednesday,  25th. — This  morning  a  foraging  expe- 
dition is  sent  out  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Yager,  of  Company  G-.  Nothing  discovered,  nothing 
obtained — a  fruitless  expedition. 

Thursday,  26th. — This  morning  the  regiment 
moves  down  the  river  to  a  point  opposite  Hamburg 
Landing,  where  the  three  companies  are  ordered  to 
report  with  the  Second  Division's  equipage.  Our 
way  is  a  winding  one  over  the  hills  and  bluffs  of  the 
Tennessee.  By  night  we  arrive  opposite  the  Land- 
ing, having  captured  four  prisoners  during  the  day. 
Here  we  find  a  transport  anchored  in  the  river,  and 
a  force  stationed  at  Hamburg.  We  go  into  camp  for 
the  night.  The  Colonel  obtains  a  skiff  from  the 
steamboat  and  sends  a  detail  across  the  river  to 
Hamburg  to  draw  some  rations.  In  the  meantime 
the  regiment  kills  a  number  of  hogs.  The  detail 
sent  across  the  river  have  now  returned  with  plenty 
of  rations.  We  do  not  hunger  to-night.  The  three 
companies  sent  to  Corinth  have  returned  with  the 
camp  and  garrison  equipage.  It  is  now  raining, 
a  cold  drizzly  rain.  Our  camp  is  in  a  low  swamp  by 


210  HISTORY    OF   THE 

the  Tennessee.    We  anticipate  that  we  shall  lie  or 
stand  in  water  ere  it  is  morning. 

Friday,  27th. — To-day  the  Second  Division's  camp 
and  garrison  equipage  is  loaded  on  board  the  steamer 
Nashville,  to  be  sent  around  to  Nashville.  Still  it 
rains.  The  camp  seems  to  be  floating  in  mud  and 
water.  Clothes  wet,  blankets  drenched,  and  a  cold 
piercing  north  wind  blowing.  Night  comes  on  cold 
and  gloomy.  The  men  are  now  shivering  around 
the  camp  fires,  with  no  place  to  lay  their  weary 
heads.  Gloomy  picture ! 

"Out  alone  to-night  we're  sitting, 
Watching  shadows  that  are  passing 
To  and  fro  upon  the  canvas, 
In  our  spirit's  penetralia. 
Go,  ye  idle,  cursed  complainers, 
Who  complain  at  home  of  trouble ; 
Think  upon  the  soldiers'  sorrow, 
Weary,  weak  and  wakeful  soldiers ; 
Guarding  you  from  foul  oppression, 
Keeping  you  a  home  of  pleasure. 
If  your  coward  heart  will  let  you, 
Then  refuse  him  aid  and  shelter." 

Saturday,  28th. — This  morning  three  companies  are 
detailed  to  escort  back  to  Corinth  the  teams  that 
hauled  the  Division's  camp  and  garrison  equipage  to 
the  river.  All  quiet  this  evening,  and  it  is  still 
muddy  and  wet. 

Sunday,  29th. — The  three  companies  sent  with  the 
teams  to  Corinth  return  to-day.  The  order  this 
evening  is  to  be  ready  to  move  in  the  morning. 

Monday,  30th. — This  morning  the  regiment  starts 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  211 

over  the  hills  towards  Pulaski,  Tennessee;  and 
moves  on  the  Waynesboro  road.  Night  coming  on 
we  go  into  camp  at  Pin  Hook. 

Tuesday,  December  1st,  1863. — We  are  now  on 
the  road  leading  to  Waynesboro.  When  within  two 
miles  of  the  town  we  halt  and  feed.  After  dinner 
we  mount,  put  spurs  to  our  steeds  and  charge  into 
the  town,  from  which  place  we  start  a  citizen  who 
mistook  us  for  guerrillas,  running  him  from  town. 
He  meets  the  Fifth  Tennessee  Union  Cavalry 
approaching  in  an  opposite  direction ;  halting,  they 
inquire  if  there  are  any  guerrillas  in  Waynesboro? 
"  Yes  ;  down  the  road  they  are  now  camping,"  (point- 
ing towards  the  Seventh's  advance  guard).  The 
Seventh  boys  and  the  Fifth  Tennessee  meet  and, 
commence  firing.  The  Colonel  soon  discovers  the 
mistake,  but  is  unable  to  stop  the  fray  until  three  are 
wounded ;  two  belonging  to  the  Seventh  and  one  to 
the  Fifth  Tennessee.  The  Fifth  Tennessee  having 
been  deceived  so  often  by  guerrillas  dressed  in  fed- 
eral uniforms,  they  have  in  consequence  become  very 
vigilant.  After  the  excitement,  we  move  -on  five 
miles  and  go  into  camp  at  the  iron  foundry. 

Wednesday,  2d. — Early  this  morning  we  are  on 
the  road  leading  towards  Pulaski,  Tennessee.  When 
within  twelve  miles  of  Pulaski  we  go  into  camp ;  we 
have  honey,  chickens  and  hams  in  abundance  to-night. 
The  boys  are  cheerful. 

Thursday,  3d. — We  arrive  in  Pulaski  by  noon 
to-day,  and  find  all  quiet  in  camp ;  receive  a  large 
mail,  which  the  boys  are  now  reading. 


212  HISTORY    OF   THE 

Friday,  4rth. — All  still  to-day ;  a  dull  monotony  in 
camp.  The  Seventh  are  now  making  shelter  out  .of 
rails  and  their  oil  cloths,  and  what  few  boards  they 
can  gather  up;  no  tents ;  on  duty  every  day,  scouting 
and  running  everywhere.  This  evening  a  call  is 
made  upon  the  different  companies  for  twenty  volun- 
teers to  carry  dispatches  one  hundred  miles  across  the 
country  to  Eastport,  Tennessee  Kiver.  To  be 
relieved  from  the  camp's  dull  life,  we  conclude  to  be 
one  of  the  number.  The  remaining  nineteen  soon 
report.  About  nine  o'clock  p.  M.,  we  leave  Pulaski 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Roberts,  of  Com- 
pany C.  We  travel  until  four  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, when  we  halt  at  a  plantation,  feed  and  get  our 
breakfast,  prepared  by  the  negroes.  At  daylight  we 
move  on,  pass  through  Waynesboro,  and  go  as  far  as 
Pin  Hook,  where  we  go  into  camp  for  the  night. 

Sunday,  6th. — This  morning  we  move  early;  we 
are  now  in  the  enemy's  country ,  far  from  support;  all 
keep  closely  together,  moving  briskly,  for  to-day  we 
are  ordered  to  be  at  Eastport.  At  Pin  Hook  some  of 
the  loyal  citizens  informed  us  that  the  noted  guerilla 
Moore  was  now  at  home,  and  as  we  were  to  pass  his 
house,  they  urged  us  to  capture  him,  as  he  was  a 
terror  to  that  whole  country.  When  within  a  short 
distance  of  the  house,  the  Lieutenant  divides  the 
command,  directing  one  portion  to  file  off  and  come 
up  in  the  rear  of  the  house.  Arriving  in  sight  we 
make  the  charge,  but  his  little  boy  who  was  standing 
picket,  soon  gives  the  alarm,  and  Captain  Moore  seizes 
his  guu  and  is  soon  in  the  brush.  We  jump  the 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  213 

fence  in  front  of  the  house,  and  on  the  charge  we  are 
met  by  the  Captain's  wife  and  daughter,  who 
endeavor  to  scare  our  horses,  but  no  scare ;  on  we  go 
in  close  pursuit  of  the  Captain,  with  whom  we 
exchange  several  shots — but  no  capture.  He  suc- 
ceeded in  evading  us  in  the  brush,  and  as  it  was 
taking  us  too  far  from  our  route,  we  abandoned  the 
pursuit.  Taking  his  horse  we  move  on.  Near 
Waterloo  we  capture  two  conscripting  officers  from 
Bragg's  army.  Soon  after  we  arrive  at  the  landing 
opposite  Eastport ;  we  find  the  river  swarming  with 
transports  loaded  with  troops;  we  feel  more  safe 
now.  Lieutenant  Roberts  giving  the  signal,  a  skiff 
is  brought  over.  The  Lieutenant  and  two  of  the 
men  take  _the  prisoners  over,  deliver  the  dispatches, 
draw  some  rations  and  return,  after  which  we  go 
into  camp  for  the  night. 

Monday,  7th. — This  morning  the  transports  and 
gun-boats  all  move  down  the  river,  leaving  us 
isolated  and  alone,  and  in  consequence  we  are  soon 
on  our  way  back  towards  Pulaski.  Thinking  it 
policy,  we  move  on  a  different  road.  We  travel 
briskly  ;  capture  three  guerrillas  during  the  morning; 
run  one  about  three  miles  and  capture  him  in  a  brush 
pile.  When  about  thirty  miles  from  Eastport, 
inland  from  the  river,  and  while  moving  on  a  quick 
pace,  we  suddenly  come  upon  a  b^ttallion  of  rebels 
numbering  about  two  hundred.  "Lieutenant,  110 
tune  to  be  lost  now !  back  we  must  get  or  be  cap- 
tured!" says  Lowery,  the  scout.  So  from  the  road 
over  the  hills  and  through  the  woods  we  plunge,  and 


214:  HISTORY   OF   1HE 

getting  on  the  Waynesboro  road,  we  make  good  our 
escape.  We  travel  until  about  eleven  'o'clock  and 
go  into  camp  on  a  plantation  seven  miles  from 
Waynesboro,  making  a  distance  since  morning  of 
eighty  miles.  It  is  now  raining;  the  winds  howl 
fiercely ;  the  boys  seek  shelter  in  stables  and  sheds. 
We  now  think  of  those  who  are  on  picket  to-night, 
after  riding  so  hard  all  day.  Stern  necessity  demands 
it,  and  no  one  complains.  What  noble  types  of 
untiring  fortitude ! 

Tuesday,  8th. — This  morning  it  still  rains ;  we 
move  on  and  arrive  at  Waynesboro  at  nine  A.  M.,  and 
find  the  Fifth  Loyal  Tennessee  Cavalry  garrisoning 
the  town,  and  we  conclude  to  remain  here  until  the 
following  day  to  rest  ourselves  and  horses. 

Wednesday,  9th. — This  morning  we  start  on  our 
way  for  Pulaski,  with  a  squad  of  guerrillas  given 
into  our  charge  before  leaving  Waynesboro,  to  take 
through  to  the  Provost  Marshal  at  Pulaski.  A  detail 
of  the  Fifth  Tennessee  accompany  us.  We  go  into 
camp  for  the  night  near  Lawrenceburg.  This  even- 
ing a  plot  for  the  prisoners  to  break  guard  to-night  is 
overheard  by  one'  of  our  men,  and  in  consequence 
we  are  all  compelled  to  be  on  guard,  but  no  such 
attempt  was  made. 

Thursday,  10th. — We  arrive  in  Pulaski  at  noon 
to-day,  'and  turn* over  our  prisoners  to  the  Provost 
Marshal  and  report  to  camp,  having  performed  the 
journey  without  the  loss  of  a  man.  All  express 
themselves  surprised  to  see  us  in  Pulaski  this  evening, 
having  given  Lieutenant  Roberts  and  squad  up  as  cap- 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  215 

tured,  and  candidates  for  some  southern  prison  hell 
Friday,  llth. — This  morning  the  regiment  leaves* 
Pulaski  with  three  days'  rations ;  Lieutenant  Koberts 
and  squad  are  ordered  to  remain  in  camp.  Oh  !  how 
lonely  here  since  the  regiment  has  been  out  on  the 
war  line  making  inroads  in  West  Tennessee  and 
North  Alabama. 

Wednesday,  16th. — A  cold  north  wind  is  blowing 
all  day.  This  evening  the  regiment  comes  in  from 
its  expedition — cold  and  hungry,  but  we  see  success 
beaming  from  every  face,  and  soon  we  are  told  that 
the  regiment  met  and  routed  the  famous  guerrilla 
Moorland  and  his  band.  Killed  ten  and  left  them  on 
the  field,  wounded  about  thirty,  and  captured  forty 
prisoners,  and  strange  to  say  without  the  loss  of  a 
man  from  the  regiment .  This  can  be  accounted  for 
from  the  fact  of  the  superiority  of  our  guns  over 
those  of  the  guerrillas  at  a  long  'range.  The  boys 
are  all  in  a  glee  over  their  scout,  relating  many  inci- 
dents worthy  of  record.  But  we  will  only  record 
one.  Close  by  where  our  regiment  encountered 
Moorland,  two  rebels  entered  a  house  to  obtain  their 
dinners,  and  in  this  house  dwelt  a  young  lady  whose 
love  for  the  old  Union  no  one  ever  questioned. 
Though  against  her  will,  their  dinners  were  prepared, 
and  while  eating,  the  young  lady  walks  to  the  door 
and  down  the  road  she  beholds  the  old  Union's  flag 
come  flying.  She  immediately  turns,  seizes  both  guns 
and  with  one  kills  one  of  the  rebels  and  with  the 
other  gun  takes  the  other  rebel  prisoner,  turning  him 
over  to  our  men  when  they  advanced.  Tell  me  not 


216  HISTORY  OF  THE 

that  woman  is  not  performing  her  part  in  this  war. 
Keader,  will  you  believe  me  when  I  tell  you  that  the 
world  in  all  its  knightly  history,  never  produced 
brighter  examples  of  heroism  than  have  been  produced 
in  this  southland  during  these  years  of  terrible  strife. 
The  daughters  of  the  south  who  love  the  bonny  stars 
and  stripes,  deal  with  weapons  of  death  ;  stemming 
war's  wild  current,  braving  what  men  have  ever  dared 
to  brave,  lending  a  helping  hand  to  those  who 
would  perpetuate  this  union  and  save  liberty  from  its 
final  grave.  We  see  her  walking  the  battle  field  at 
the  midnight  hour  where  the  messengers  from  the  can- 
non's mouth  have  done  their  fearful  work ;  we  see  her 
at  the  hospital  where  the  angel  of  death  lingers  at  the 
threshold  waiting  for  life's  brittle  thread  to  break, 
when  it  could  upon  its  wings  bear  the  hero-spirits 
home  to  an  approving  God.  We  see  her  at  the  war- 
rior's tomb,  see  her  tears  sparkle  and  her^  flowers  fall 
on  their  silent  mission  of  love  and  peace.  Flowers  of 
many  hues  from  many  hands,  and  tears  from  many 
heart  fountains  may  fall  there,  but  no  brighter  treasure, 
no  holier  tribute  will  ever  be  offered,  than  noble 
woman  has  already  offered  on  the  fallen  soldier's 
hallowed  tomb. 

Sunday,  December,  20th. — To-day  we  receive  the 
government's  veteran  propositions,  which  are  now 
being  discussed  by  the  Seventh ;  whether  the  boys 
will  catch  the  fever,  remains  to  be  seen. 

Monday,  21st. — To-day  a  meeting  of  the  regiment 
is  called  for  the  purpose  of  feeling  its  pulse,  and  it  is 
found  to  beat  to  the  veteran  time.  The  ball  is  now 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  217 

rolling,  old  soldiers  who  have  stood  imblanched  on 
many  a  battle  field,  seeing  that  war's  storm  king  is 
still  moving  with  fearful  power,  that  the  flag  is  still 
assailed  and  their  second  term  of  enlistment  is  draw- 
ing towards  its  end,  are  now  re- enlisting  and  con- 
tracting for  a  third  term  of  service. 

Tuesday,  22d. — To-day  the  veteran  spirit  rages 
high.  The  chill,  winter  winds  are  now  blowing. 
We  move  through  the  Seventh's  camp.  There  they 
stand  shivering  around  the  camp  fires  with  no  tents 
and  scarcely  any  covering  to  shelter  them  from  the 
winter  frosts.  Can  it  be  possible  that  the  men  will 
contract  to  prolong  this  life  of  privations  and  arduous 
duties.  But  it  is  nevertheless  a  fact,  the  regiment  is 
going  almost  to  a  man,  showing  to  the  world  examples 
that  should  move  the  mighty  north  as  it  has  never 
before  been  moved,  move  it  in  such  a  way,  that  the 
southern  army  that  to-day  claims  to  be  legion  would 
be  crushed  into  atoms.  „ 

Wednesday,  23d. — This  morning  Captain  Ahern 
with  two  men  from  each  company  leave  for  Illinois 
to  recruit  for  the  regiment.  The  entire  regiment  is 
now  making  preparations  to  go  home  on  furlough, 
which  is  one  of  the  conditions  in  the  veteran  con- 
tract. All  are  now  busy  preparing  for  muster, 
making  out  rolls,  filling  up  enlistment  papers,  &c. 

Thursday,  31st.— The  last  week  of  1863,  the  Sev- 
enth will  never  forget  in  mid- winter — standing  in  the 
rain,  snow  and  storm  anxiously  waiting  for  the  finish- 
ing of  the  rolls.  This  evening  they  are  done ;  the 
cry  is  now  for  the  mustering  officers  ;  all  are  anxious 
to  start  northward. 
10 


218  HISTORY   OF   THE 

January  1st,  1864. — Sixty-four  is  ushered  in  bleak 
and  rough.  The  year  has  died,  but  its  blood- wrought 
history  will  live  co-equal  with  time.  The  war  clouds 
have  hung  long  over  a  stricken  people  bringing  sad- 
ness and  tears  to  many  a  hearthstone  ;  but  the  voice 
of  the  boys  in  blue  now  rolling  from  the  tented  field 
is  positive.  Shivering  around  the  camp  fires  they 
say  we  will  give  the  lie  to  modern  democracy ;  we 
will  show  them  that  we  are  not  tired  of  this  "aboli- 
tion war,"  that  we  will  not  leave  the  field  while  one 
hostile  foe  assails  the  flag. 

"The  mustering  officer!" — "The  mustering  officer!" 
is  now  the  universal  cry.  Colonel,  can  you  not  toll 
him  out  here  ?  some  one  asks  ;  "you  know,  Colonel, 
that  he  always  goes  where  they  have  the  best  and 
the  most  for  the  cneck' "  utters  one.  But  we  will  be 
compelled  to  wait  his  pleasure,  for  the  colonel,  as  it 
happens,  don't  work  with  men  in  that  style. 

January  7th. — The  weather  still  the  same — cold 
and  windy.  The  camp  of  the  Seventh  is  indeed  a 
place  of  suffering,  but  men  of  steel  stand  here,  and 
despite  the  warring  elements  they  manage  to  keep 
cheerful.  Another  long  week  of  anxious  waiting  for 
the  mustering  officers  has  passed  away.  At  last  he 
comes.  How  welcome  is  his  presence.  This  evening 
though  they  have  long  been  veterans  in  practice,  the 
Seventh  is  denominated  by  name  the  Seventh  Illi- 
inois  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry.  Thus  ends  our 
second  enlistment,  and  commences  our  veteran 
organization. 


PART    II. 


VETERAN    SERVICE. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Leaving  Pulaski  on  veteran  furlough — Arrival  at  Springfield — The 
Reception— The  Regiment  in  the  Representatives  Chamber — 
Welcome  speech  of  Governor  Yates — General  Cook  and  the  Sev- 
enth's old  flag — General  Cook's  speech — The  hospitality  of  the 
people — The  Seventh  at  home. 

Corraling  our  horses  and  mules  and  leaving  them 
in  charge  of  the  non-veterans,  the  regiment  on  the 
8th  of  January,  with  drums  beating,  colors  flying, 
and  hopes  beating  high,  march  from  Pulaski,  Tenn- 
essee. Arriving  at  Columbia  we  take  the  cars  for 
Nashville,  where  we  remain  in  the  Soldier's  Home 
until  transportation  is  furnished.  Transportation 
being  furnished  we  proceed  by  rail  to  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky, where  we  remain  until  we  receive  our  pay  and 
bounty — after  which  we  cross  the  Ohio  and  take  the 
cars  for  Springfield,  Illinois. 

January  15th. — The  train  carrying  the  Seventh  is 
now  near  Springfield ;  soon  we  expect  to  meet  a 
grateful  people,  who  have  already  been  informed  of 
the  hour  of  our  arrival.  The  train  moves  slowly 
across  Sangamon  river,  and  as  it  emerges  from  the  tim- 
ber and  approaches  the  city  we  hear  the  cannon's  roar. 
The  echoes  roll  across  the  prairie,  telling  to  us  that 
the '  great  loyal  heart  of  Illinois  still  beats  true  for 
liberty  and  its  defenders.  The  train  moves  into  the 
Great  Western  depot,  and  a  vast  crowd  is  now  moving 
towards  us.  The  patriot  fathers  are  here  ;  mothers, 


222  HISTORY   OF   THE 

sisters  and  lovers,  with  anxious  throbbing  hearts 
whose  pulses  have  ever  beaten  true  for  Union  and 
liberty,  come  like  a  beautiful  sun-tinted  wave  against 
the  Seventh.  Tears  fall  like  dew  drops  for  the  loved 
and  lost,  who  come  not  back,  but  when  the  returning 
comrade  says  to  that  sister  or  that  maiden,  "your 
Willie  fought  bravely  on  Shiloh's  field,  until  liberty 
in  her  trying  hours  claimed  him  upon  her  hallowed 
altar,"  their  faces  sparkle  with  holy  light  and  they 
reply :  "How  proud  I  am  to  know  that  they  were 
thus  brave  soldiers  in  the  war  for  republican  nation- 
ality." Oh !  how  noble  these  loyal  hearts  that 
open  so  wide  for  the  boys  in  blue.  The  regiment 
sways  back  the  crowd  and  forms  in  line.  "Wheeling 
into  company  column,  Colonel  Rowett  commences 
to  move  through  the  city  ;  a  grateful  people  continues 
to  follow  the  regiment  wherever  they  march ;  the 
men  move  firmly — their  steps  are  even.  Some  one 
says  "they  are  proud,"  and  another  replies,  "and 
well  may  they  be;  for  the  record  they  have  made  in 
this  crusade  for  freedom  is  enough  to  create  within 
them  a  feeling  of  pride."  After  marching  through 
some  of  the  principal  streets  of  the  city,  the  colonel 
leads  the  regiment  into  the  State  House  yard,  where 
he  forms  the  regiment  in  divisions  and  closes  in  mass. 
Our  old  Colonel,  now  Brigadier  General,  John  Cook, 
commanding  the  military  at  Springfield,  appears 
at  one  of  the  windows,  and  with  his  loud  and  familiar 
voice  says :  "Colonel  Rowett,  by  the  direction  of 
Governor  Yates,  you  will  proceed  with  your  regiment 
into  the  Representatives  Chamber."  The  hall  is  now 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  223 

densely  crowded  with  the  Illinois  Seventh  and  her 
loyal  men  and  women.  Governor  Yates  now  comes  for- 
ward and  in  behalf  of  the  loyal  people  of  Illinois  he 
says :  " Welcome  !  Welcome,  Seventh !  to  your  homes 
and  friends.  The  heart  of  this  great  commonwealth 
goes  out  in  love  for  you,  starting  tears  to  the  memory 
of  those  of  your  number  whom  you  have  left  in  the 
sunny  south.  Again  I  say  in  behalf  of  the  loyal 
people,  welcome,  welcome  Seventh."  His  big  heart 
being  so  full  he  could  say  no  more,  and  was  com- 
pelled to  sit  down.  Brigadier  General  Cook  now 
comes  forward,  carrying  on  his  arm  the  Seventh's  old 
Donelson  and  Shiloh  banner,  and  as  he  unfurled  it  in 
that  chamber,  those  men  who  stood  around  it  amid 
tempest  and  smoke,  like  a  pillar  of  steel  and  fire, 
seemed  fo  move  towards  it  with  all  their  hearts,  for  men 
never  appeared  to  love  a  flag  more  ;  they  loved  it 
because  of  its  associations,  for  when  they  gazed  upon 
its  shot-torn  folds  they  remembered  the  eventful  past, 
remembered  the  terrible  battle  flames  through  which 
it  had  been  carried ,  remembered  the  loyal  soldiers 
whose  hearts  ceased  their  pulsations  beneath  its 
shadow.  General  Cook  commences  to  speak,  and 
for  one  hour  holds  the  vast  audience  spell-bound  by 
his  eloquence.  He  pays  a  touching  tribute  to  the 
regiment's  fallen,  and  we  dare  say  a  more  beautiful 
tribute  was  never  uttered  in  this  chamber  than  this 
tribute  delivered  by  General  Cook.  He  spoke  to  the 
loyal  heart,  and  it  seemed  that  every  word  as  fast  as 
uttered  entered  there,  for  when  he  closed  few  eyes 
were  dry  in  that  vast  audience.  After  a  few  apt  and 


224  HISTORY    OF   THE 

appropriate  remarks  by  Colonel  Rowett  and  Major 
Estabrook  the  audience  -disperses.  The  hotels  are 
thrown  open  and  the  loyal  people  invite  the  regiment 
to  throw  themselves  upon  their  hospitality  during 
their  stay  in  the  city.  Having  free  access,  a  portion 
of  the  regiment  remains  during  the  night  in  Repre- 
sentatives Hall. 

Remaining  in  Springfield  until  the  furloughs  are 
issued  the  different  companies  on  the  19th  day  of 
January,  leave  for  their  homes.  "We  will  now  for  a 
while  leave  the  Seventh  Illinois  Veteran  Volunteer 
Infantry  with  their  friends,  trusting  that  the  loyal 
people  will  lavish  upon  them  their  hospitality  and 
love  in  consideration  of  the  noble  part  they  have 
played  thus  far  in  the  war  for  human  freedom. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Rendezvousing  at  Camp  Butler — Southward  bound — Arrival  at 
Louisville — Arrival  at  Nashville — The  Zollicoffer  House — Arri- 
val at  Pulaski,  Tennessee — Marching  orders — March  to  Flor- 
ence, Alabama — Return  to  Pulaski,  Tennessee — Marching 
orders — March  to  Waynesboro — March  to  Raw  Hide — March  to 
Florence — March  to  Baily  Springs — March  to  Blue  Water — 
Companies  H  and  K  at  Raw  Hide — Company  F  at  Cheatam's 
Landing — Headquarters  at  Baily  Springs — Companies  H  and  K 
at  Jackson's  plantation — The  arrival  of  Company  F  at  Jack- 
son's plantation — Colonel  Rowett's  return  to  the  regiment — 
Captaia  Ring's  detachment  ordered  to  Center  Star — Camp  at 
Douglass' — Camp  at  Taylor's — Camp  at  Williams' — The  arrival 
of  the  supply  train — The  attack  at  Shoal  Creek — The  crossing 
of  Roddy — The  fight  at  Florence — Rowett  driven — Captain 
Ring  falling  back  across  Elk  River — Forming  Junction  at  Flor- 
ence, Tennessee — The  return  to  Florence — The  march  to  Athens 
— Lieutenants  Sullivan  and  Rowett  sent  to  Florence  under  flag 
of  truce  to  negotiate  an  exchange — The  bad  faith  of  the  rebel 
Colonel  Johnson — The  regiment  dismounted. 

"  Southward,  ho  !     How  the  grand  old  war-cry 
Thunders  over  the  land  to-day, 
Rolling  down  from  the  eastern  mountains, 
Dying  in  the  west  away. 

Southward,  ho  !     Bear  on  the  watchword, 

Onward  march  as  in  other  days, 

Till  over  the  traitors'  fallen  fortress 

The  stripes  shall  stream  and  the  stars  shall  blaze, 

And  the  darkness  fly  from  their  radiant  van, 

And  a  mightier  empire  rise  in  grandeur 

For  freedom,  truth,  and  the  rights  of  man.;/ 

After  mingling  for  a  while  so  pleasantly  with  the 
good  people  of  Illinois,  enjoying  their  hospitality  and 


226  HISTORY  OF  THE 

receiving  from  them  many  words  of  cheer,  we  ren- 
dezvous at  Camp  Butler,  February  18th.  While  here 
we  add  to  our  rolls  a  lar^e  number  of  recruits.  Noble 
men  they  are  who  have  been  waiting  patiently  to  arrive 
.at  the  necessary  age  for  a  soldier.  That  period  hav- 
ing arrived,  they  now  seem  to  ieel  proud  in  their 
uniforms  of  blue.  Colonel  Kowett  having  been  by 
special  order,  (contrary  to  his  wishes,)  assigned  to  the 
command  of  Camp  Butler,  on  the  twenty-second  of 
February  the  regiment,  under  the  command  of  Major 
Estabrook,  takes  the  cars  for  Dixie.  Arriving  at 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  we  receive  transportation  for 
Nashville.  On  arriving  there,  we  are  furnished 
lodgings  in  the  Zollicoffer  House.  The  regiment  will 
long  remember  the  accommodations  received  there  at 
the  hands  of  the  government  contractors.  How  the 
bristling  bayonets  clashed  together  at  the  entrance, 
and  how  they  practiced  their  expert  chicanery  to 
work  their  egress  therefrom. 

Remaining  here  until  transportation  is  furnished, 
on  the  twenty-eighth  we  proceed  on  our  way  to 
Pulaski,  Tennessee.  The  trains  running  all  the  way 
through,  we  arrive  in  our  old  camp  at  five  P.  M.;  all 
seem  glad  to  get  back ;  the  non-veterans  are  glad  to 
see  us,  and  hear  from  their  friends  at  home ;  and 
even  the  mules  send  forth  their  welcome. 

Monday,  29th. — All  quiet  to-day;  the  officers  all 
busy  equipping  their  companies.  Soon  we  will  be 
in  the  saddle  in  obedience  to  the  call  of  the  bugle. 

March  6th. — Since  our  return  to  this  land  of 
cotton,  sallow  humanity  and  scotch  snuff,  the  boys 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INF  ANTE  Y.  227 

have  been  looking  blue.  The  fond  caresses  and  the 
beautiful  smiles  they  received  while  among  the  loyal 
people,  have  well  nigh  spoiled  the  Seventh,  but  the 
bugle's  blast,  the  whoop,  the  charge  and  the  fray  will 
soon  give  new  vigor  and  point  to  the  soldier's  life ; ' 
will  soon  draw  their  minds  in  from  their  wanderings 
and  concentrate  them  on  naught  but  the  war  line. 
Though  they  will  not  banish  those  images,  they  will 
think  of  them  only  secondary  to  war  and  victory. 
This  evening  we  receive  orders  to  be  ready  to  move 
in  the  morning  with  six  days'  rations. 

March  7th. — This  morning  we  move  early,  head- 
ing as  usual  for  North  Alabama  or  "West  Tennessee ; 
travel  hard  all  day;  pass  through  Rodgersville  and  go 
into  camp  for  the  night.  The  sky  is  cloudy ;  threat- 
ening rain. 

March  8th. — This  morning  everything  is  wet,  for 
it  rained  hard  all  night.  A  fine  introduction  to  the 
new  recruits,  though  all  seem  cheerful.  We  soon 
move  from  camp;  marching  on  the  military  road 
leading  to  Florence,  Alabama.  We  arrive  at  Flor- 
ence in  the  afternoon,  capture  one  rebel,  and  one 
seeking  to  make  his  escape  gets  killed.  We  go  into 
camp  close  to  Florence  to  await  for  transports  that 
are  expected  up  the  Tennessee. 

March  14th. — We  are  still  in  camp  at  Florence:  no 
steamers  have  yet  come  up ;  don't  look  for  any  now ; 
the  river  is  low.  Our  rations  have  run  out,  and  we 
are  compelled  to  forage  from  the  citizens,  who  are 
almost  destitute  themselves.  Our  pickets  at  the 
river  keep  up  a  continual  firing  with  the  rebel  pickets 
on  the  opposite  shore. 


228  HISTORY    OF   THE 

March  15th. — This  evening  we  leave  Florence; 
travel  nearly  all  night ;  go  into  camp  early  in  the 
morning,  tired  and  sleepy. 

March  16th. — This  morning  we  proceed  on  our 
way  to  Pulaski ;  arrive  in  camp  in  the  evening,  very 
much  worn  by  hard  riding. 

March  20th. — Since  our  return  from  the  Northland, 
a  dull  monotony  reigns  in  camp;  nothing  greets  our 
ears  but  an  occasional  braying  of  some  hungry  mule 
and  the  rumbling  of  the  waters  over  the  mill-dam  in 
Kichland  creek.  All  seems  quiet  with  the  military. 
We  wonder  if  there  will  be  any  more  blood  made 
to  flow  in  the  South-land.  There  may  be  and  there 
may  not;  God  only  knows.  We  would  love  to 
believe  that  ere  long  there  shall  be  consummated  an 
uncompromising  peace,  with  the  Union  triumphant 
and  traitors  in  the  dust.  Though  things  in  and 
around  camp  are  dull,  the  boys  are  cheerful  and 
happy. 

March  21st. — We  again  receive  marching  orders; 
Forrest  said  to  be  crossing  the  Tennessee  at  Eastport. 
We  are  ordered  to  reconnoiter.  Oh !  how  sleepy  the 
soldiers  become ;  some  fall  off  of  their  mules  while 
riding  along  the  road.  About  two  o'clock,  A.  M.,  we 
come  to  a  halt  at  Lawrenceburg,  and  feed  and  lay 
down  to  sleep,  but  very  little  do  we  obtain,  for 
at  day-light  the  bugle  blows.  The  command  is 
divided.  Companies  H  and  F,  commanded  by 
Captain  Ring,  proceed  to  Waynesboro;  we  iind 
nothing  hostile  here.  The  report  that  Forrest  was 
crossing  the  Tennessee  has  proved  to  have  been  only 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY. 

an  idle  rumor.  We  go  into  camp  for  the  night.  We 
feast  to-night  upon  chickens,  ham  and  honey.  A 
scout  is  sent  to  Clifton,  Tennessee  river,  this  evening, 
to  see  and  learn  what  he  can  about  the  movements 
of  Forrest. 

March  23d. — Still  in  camp  in  the  woods  near 
Waynesboro;  we  will  remain  here  until  the  scout 
sent  to  Clifton,  Tennessee  river,  returns.  About 
nine  o'clock  the  scout  returns  and  reports  all  quiet 
on  the  river ;  we  immediately  leave  Waynesboro,  and 
after  traveling  briskly  all  day,  go  into  camp  five 
miles  from  Haw  Hide. 

March  24:th. — This  morning  we  move  on  to  Raw 
Hide;  nothing  to  be  found;  we  learn  here  that 
scouts  from  the  regiment  were  here  this  morning  in 
quest  of  Captain  Ring's  detachment.  The  regiment 
is  reported  to  be  at  Florence,  Alabama;  we  now 
lead  out  on  the  Florence  road.  In  the  evening  we 
arrive  at  Florence,  but  find  no  regiment;  we  imme- 
diately, move  on  to  Baily  Springs,  nine  miles  from 
Florence  and  go  into  camp  for  the  night.  We  learn 
here  that  the  headquarters  of  the  regiment  is  to-night 
on  Blue  Water. 

March  25th. — This  morning  it  is  raining;  we  are 
now  out  of  rations;  report  to  the  regiment  on  Blue 
Water,  where  we  go  into  camp  and  draw  from  the 
teams  three  days'  rations,  and  after  feeding  and 
enjoying  each  a  quart  of  fine  coffee,  as  good  (so  we 
thought  then)  as  any  woman  ever  made,  we  again 
receive  orders  to  saddle  up  and  be  off.  We  proceed 
back  to  Raw  Hide,  where  we  join  Company  K, 


230  HISTORY    OF   THE 

who  came  before  us  in  the  morning.  Our  orders 
are  to  remain  here  and  patrol  the  river  between 
this  point  and  Eastport. 

March  26th. — This  morning  a  squad  of  twenty 
men,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Fergus,  is 
sent  out  on  a  scout  to  Eastport,  Tennessee  river, 
and  another  squad,  under  the  command  of  a  non- 
commissioned officer,  is  sent  to  Cheatam's  Landing, 
seventeen  miles  from  Raw  Hide.  We  make  the 
point  by  noon;  find  Company  F,  Captain  Knowl- 
ton,  in  camp  here.  Returning,  we  bring  through  a 
prisoner  captured  by  Company  F,  who  reports  For- 
rest in  Memphis  and  Longstreet  in  Knoxville. 

March  27th. — Our  scouts  and  patrols  are  now 
continually  picking  up  stray  guerrillas.  This  morn- 
ing Captain  Ring  sends  to  headquarters  at  Baily 
Springs,  seven  prisoners  captured  since  our  arrival 
here.  Patrols  are  again  sent  to  the  Tennessee  river, 
which  now  is  a  daily  duty.  Nothing  new  to-day, 
save  some  fine  horses  brought  in  this  evening  by 
the  foraging  parties.  The  Seventh  is  feasting  high 
to-night. 

Monday,  28th. — The  details  are  now  very  heavy — 
patroling,  foraging,  scouting,  &c.— but  we  live  sumptu- 
ously upon  what  little  fat  of  the  land  yet  remains. 

Tuesday,  29th. — The  boys  are  scouring  the  country 
in  every  direction  for  horses  and  mules.  All  quiet 
this  evening. 

Wednesday,  30th. — To-day  we  move  camp  to  the 
widow  Jackson's  plantation.  This  evening  Captain 
Knowlton,  with  Company  F,  arrives  from  Cheatam's 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  231 

Landing  and  reports  to  Captain  Ring.  The  detach- 
ment now  consists  of  Companies  F,  H  and  K.  We 
are  now  eight  miles  from  the  headquarters  at  Baily 
Springs,  and  eight  miles  from  the  Tennessee  river. 
Orders  are  issued  this  evening  to  move  at  two 
o'clock  in  the  morning. 

Thursday,  3ist. — Three  o'clock,  A.  M.,  we  move 
out  on  the  Florence  road ;  rebels  reported  crossing 
the  river.  At  day-light  we  charge  into  Florence  and 
intercept  two  rebels  in  the  act  of  crossing  the  river 
to  their  command.  Remaining  in  Florence  a  short 
time,  we  move  out  on  the  military  road;  proceeding 
a  short  distance  a  squad  is  sent  to  the  residence  of 
Dr.  Riles,  a  rebel  aider  and  abetter,  whom  they 
arrest,  and  with  him  and  the  two  rebels  captured 
at  Florence,  the  squad  is  sent  to  regimental  head- 
quarters. In  the  evening  the  detachment  returns  to 
camp  on  the  Jackson  plantation. 

April  1st. — Still  we  look  out  upon  the  fields  of  the 
South  and  behold  the  effects  of  desolating  war.  The 
plow  is  standing  still;  starvation  and  suffering  are 
inevitable  if  the  angel  of  peace  comes  not  soon  upon 
its  mission  to  this  stricken  people. 

April  7th. — Still  at  Jackson's  plantation;  duty 
heavy ;  daily  patroling  and  scouting  continued  along 
the  river.  This  evening  a  detachment  is  sent  to 
Pulaski  with  dispatches;  return  to  the  detachment 
with  a  large  mail,  which  seems  to  instil  new  life  into 
the  men.  The  little  " billets"  bring  sunshine  to  the 
soldiers. 

April  8th. — Negroes  by  the  hundreds  are  nocking 
to  our  camp ;  all  sizes  and  ages,  ranging  from  one 


232  HISTORY    OF   THE 

year  to  one  hundred  years  old.  Poor  deluded  beings, 
how  extravagant  have  been  their  conceptions  relative 
to  the  Yankees.  An  order  from  headquarters  at  Baily 
Springs  this  evening  informs  us  that  Colonel  Eowett 
has  fought  himself  away  from  Camp  Butler  and 
returned  to  the  command  of  the  regiment.  Remain- 
ing in  camp  at  Jackson's  until  the  fifteenth,  we  leave 
and  report  to  regimental  headquarters.  Immedi- 
ately Captain  Eing  receives  orders  to  proceed  with  the 
detachment  to  Center  Star,  where  we  arrive  in  the 
evening  and  go  into  camp,  after  which  patrols  are 
sent  out  to  Bainbridge  and  Lamb's  Ferry.  This 
detachment  will  long  remember  their  camp  and  stay 
at  the  Jackson  plantation;  how  Captain  E,  Ser- 
geants "N.  and  A.  made  journeys  across  the  Blue 
Water,  and  how  the  Captain  when  coming  in 
contact  with  one  of  the  South's  fair  literary  stars, 
discoursed  so  freely  upon  the  American  and  English 
poets — especially  upon  the  merits  of  the  Bard  of 
Avon. 

April  16th. — Forage  being  scarce  at  Center  Star, 
the  detachment  is  to-day  marched  to  Douglass'  plan- 
tation. The  patrols  report  all  quiet  on  the  river  this 
evening. 

Sunday,  17th. — For  some  unknown  reason  the 
detachment  is  to-day  moved  on  to  Taylor's  plantation ; 
a  fine  place,  and  we  all  agree  that  it  is  a  happy 
change,  for  the  command  gains  shelter  here. 

Monday,  18th. — The  detachment  seems  to  be 
making  itself  at  home  at  Taylor's.  Our  headquarters 
are  in  the  parlor.  Our  host's  heart  is  warm  for  "  the 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  233 

glorious  cause  of  the  South."  Has  two  sons,  officers 
in  the  rebel  army,  and  in  consequence  we  conclude 
that  we  will  live  here  for  some  days. 

Tuesday,  10th, — Everything  seems  monotonous  in 
camp  this  morning ;  nothing  but  the  regular  routine 
of  camp  and  patrol  duty  greet  us.  All  quiet  this 
evening.  Nature  smiling,  a  warm  sun,  a  soft  south 
wind,  makes  us  almost  feel  that  we  are  not  engaged 
in  the  puny  strifes  of  war.  Oh !  for  something  to 
dispel  the  dull  care;  if  it  be  rebels  with  bristling 
bayonets.  Hark !  we  hear  a  voice  tuned  by  a  musical 
soul.  Miss  P —  seems  defiant,  singing  her  Southern 
collections,  "  God  save  the  South,"  "Southern  Red, 
"White  and  Blue."  We  are  inclined  to  admire  her 
bold  spirit,  though  the  heart  is  with  a  desperate 
cause.  Hearing  this  voice,  we  wonder  if  she,  from 
whom  it  comes,  would  play  for  the  "vandals." 
We  will  try  her  to-morrow. 

Wednesday  20th. — Nothing  new  this  morning; 
reported  all  quiet  all  along  the  Tennessee.  "  Now 
Lieutenant  A — ,  we  will  have  some  music  this  morn- 
ing," says  Captain  King  as  he  moves  from  the  room. 
Will  she  refuse  a  Yankee  officer,  wonder  the  remain- 
ing occupants  of  the  parlor.  Hark !  we  hear  foot- 
steps ;  she  is  coming.  She  is  now  seated  at  the 
piano  ;  she  plays  sweetly,  but  oh !  the  language,  the 
sentiment ;  rebellion  deep,  defiant,  loud,  echoes  from 
her  soul.  Her  heart  dwells  fondly  upon  the  "  Bon- 
nie South,"  but  the  gallant  Union  soldiers  blame  her 
not.  Though  her  heart  is  with  a  cause  which  aims 
at  the  foundation  of  human  freedom,  she  has  had 


234:  HISTORY    OF    THE 

encouragement,  has  been  made  to  believe  that  the 
land  of  her  birth  is  engaged  in  a  righteous  cause. 
The  democracy  of  the  North  have  given  that  encour- 
agement. We  will  look  among  the  old  files  oi 
papers  that  lie  here.  What  do  we  find?  A  num- 
ber of  Cincinnati  Enquirers  of  old  and  new  dates 
containing  the  speeches  of  Ohio's  exiled  traitor. 
These  speeches  have  been  eagerly  read  by  the  south- 
ern people,  and  upon  their  factious  and  treasonable 
sentiments  they  predict  their  hopes  of  Southern 
independence.  Oh !  modern  democracy,  what  have 
you  done,  and  what  are  you  doing?  You  have 
strengthened  the  South  in  their  wicked  aims  to  sub- 
vert liberty  and  thereby  shut  the  gates  of  mercy 
upon  mankind. 

April  15th. — Up  to  this  date  nothing  of  interest 
occurs ;  nothing  but  a  dull  monotony  seems  to  reign 
in  camp.  The  weather  is  warm ;  nature  clothed  in 
its  heavenly  beauty;  the  feathery  tribe  chattering 
songs  of  praise  to  their  creator.  We  look  out  upon 
these  fields  and  are  made  to  ask  ourselves  the  ques- 
tion :  "Why  the  tramp  of  warriors  here?"  Some- 
thing seems  to  answer,  "Because  wicked  men  were 
lured  by  an  ambition  to  ride  to  power  upon  the 
crimson  tide  of  blood. 

April  26th. — We  move  camp  to-day  to  Williams' 
plantation.  Says  our  commander :  "  We  will  exhibit 
a  sociableness  and  divide  our  visits  while  sojourning 
in  the  neighborhood. 

May  5th. — Up  to  this  time  there  has  been  quiet 
along  the  Tennessee ;  no  hostile  demonstrations 
apparent. 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  235 

May  6th. — Flat-boats  have  been  seen  floating 
down  the  Tennessee,  which  seems  indicative  of  some 
hostile  movements.  The  enemy  may  attempt  to 
cross  ere  long ;  they  may  succeed  despite  our  vigi- 
lance. This  evening  the  supply  train  from  Athens, 
Alabama,  arrives  at  our  camp  on  its  way  to  regi- 
mental headquarters,  now  removed  to  Florence,  Ala- 
bama ;  it  will  remain  in  our  camp  all  night. 

May  7th. — This  morning  the  train  proceeds  on  its 
way  to  Florence  ;  gone  but  one  hour  when  a  courier 
conies  dashing  back  to  the  detachment  headquarters 
with  the  word  "Attacked  at  Shoa^  Creek  bridge! 
The  train  is  in  danger!  Captain  King,  you  are 
requested  to  send  one  company  immediately  to  Cap- 
tain Yeager's  aid"  (who  was  commanding  the  train 
and  escort).  Company  F,  Captain  Ahern,  is  sent. 
The  train  is  turned  back  towards  our  camp,  where  it 
soon  after  arrives.  Company  F  reports  back  to 
Captain  Ring  with  the  intelligence  that  General 
Roddy  and  Colonel  Johnson,  with  about  fifteen  hun- 
dred rebels,  were  now  crossing  the  Tennessee;  that 
their  advance  had  crossed  early  in  the  morning  and 
captured  Sergeant  Josiah  Lee  and  squad,  standing  as 
a  picket  guard  at  Bainbridge  Ferry ;  that  they  now 
occupied  the  road  leading  towards  Florence.  The 
situation  is  critical.  Rowett,  with  a  part  of  the  regi- 
ment at  Florence,  Estabrook  with  a  part  camped  on 
Sweet  Water,  three  miles  northwest  from  Florence, 
Ring  with  three  companies  one  mile  beyond  Shoal 
Creek  and  nine  miles  from  Florence.  "We  attempt  to 
communicate  with  Rowett  and  Estabrook,  but  the 


236  HISTORY    OF    THE 

courier  returns  with  no  news  from  them.  We  only 
know  that  they  have  been  attacked  by  an  over- 
whelming force.  Captain  Ring,  with  his  detachment 
and  the  regimental  teams,  remains  on  the  opposite 
side  of  Shoal  Creek  from  Florence,  anxiously  waiting 
to  hear  from  Kowett.  We  are  now  convinced  that 
he  has  been  driven ;  we  expect  every  moment  that 
the. rebels  will  be  upon  us.  Lieutenant  Fergus  is 
now  sent  out  with  twelve  men  on  a  reconnoisance 
towards  Shoal  Creek.  He  soon  comes  up  with  a 
squad  of  rebels,  when  he  boldly  gives  the  command 
"forward."  Driving  the  rebels  a  short  distance,  a 
company  lying  in  ambush  spring  into  the  road 
and  succeed  in  capturing  the  Lieutenant  and  private 
Joseph  Burkhardt  of  Company  F,  who  happened  to 
be  on  horses  in  advance  of  the  rest  who  were 
mounted  on  mules,  and  being  in  consequence  unable 
to  afford  any  relief,  are  compelled  to  beat  a  retreat 
to  Center  Star.  Scouts  now  report  to  Captain 
Ring  that  a  part  of  the  rebel  force  is  advancing 
towards  us.  It  is  now  night ;  we  know  that  Rowett 
has  been  driven  from  Florence ;  that  to  night  he  is 
some  forty  miles  from  us;  we  know  that  if  we 
remain  here  until  morning  we  will  be  compelled  to 
confront  two  rebel  battalions  and  a  battery  of  artil- 
lery. Nine  o'clock. — We  are  still  lingering  around 
Center  Star  as  if  loath  to  leave.  The  train  is  now 
headed  towards  Athens,  Alabama.  Ten  o'clock. 
Captain  Ring  concludes  for  the  safety  of  the  com- 
mand and  the  train  to  move  on  and  cross  Elk  River. 
We  travel  all  night,  and  early  on  the  morning  of  the 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTBY.  237 

eighth  find  Elk  Eiver  between  us  and  Florence. 
We  are  now  fifteen  miles  from  Athens.  Soon  after 
crossing  we  go  into  camp  to  await  orders.  "We  are 
now  distinguished  as  the  army  of  the  Elk.  We 
receive  a  dispatch  this  evening  informing  us  that 
Colonel  Rowett  has  made  his  appearance  at  Pulaski, 
Tennessee,  having  lost  from  his  command  Captain 
McGuire  of  Company  A,  and  Lieutenant  Roberts  of 
Company  C,  and  thirty  men,  all  taken  prisoner. 
The  particulars  of  Rowett's  engagement  with  Roddy 
we  have  not  yet  learned.  We  receive  orders  to-day 
to  report  to  the  commanding  officer  at  Athens, 
where  we  arrive  and  go  into  camp  late  in  the 
evening. 

Tuesday,  10th. — This  morning  Captain  Ring 
receives  a  telegraphic  dispatch  from  Colonel  Rowett 
to  proceed  back  to  Elk  River.  The  order  obeyed, 
we  go  into  camp  in  the  evening  on  Dr.  Blair's  plan- 
tation. 

Wednesday,  llth. — To-day  parties  are  sent  out  to 
patrol  along  the  Elk,  and  guard  the  crossings.  This 
evening  we  receive  a  dispatch  informing  us  that 
Rowett  has  moved  from  Pulaski  on  the  road  leading 
towards  Lexington,  Alabama. 

Thursday,  12th. — This  morning  another  dispatch 
informs  us  of  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Rowett  with  his 
part  of  the  regiment  at  Prospect,  Tennessee,  on  the 
railroad,  ten  miles  from  Athens,  Alabama.  During 
the  day,  squads  of  rebels  make  their  appearance  on 
the  opposite  bank  of  Elk  River,  who  fire  a  few  ran- 
dom shots  into  our  pickets.  No  damage  done. 


238  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Friday  13th. — This  morning  Captain  Ring  receives 
orders  from  Colonel  Rowett  to  report  with  his  detach- 
ment to  the  regiment,  now  at  Prospect,  Tennessee, 
where  we  arrive  by  dark  and  join  the  regiment  from 
which  we  have  been  for  the  last  two  months.  Soon 
after  going  into  camp  we  learn  that  there  is  another 
expedition  to  be  started  towards  Florence,  Alabama, 
commanded  by  our  gallant  Dick  Rowett,  to  be  com- 
posed of  the  Ninth  Ohio  Cavalry  and  the  Seventh 
Illinois  Mounted  Infantry. 

"We  will  now  go  back  and  follow  Rowett  from 
Florence  to  Pulaski,  thence  to  Prospect,  Tennessee. 
As  we  stated,  when  Roddy  crossed  at  Bainbridge 
Ferry,  Rowett,  with  a  portion  of  the  regiment  was  in 
Florence,  Estabrook  in  camp  at  Sweet  Water,  and 
Ring  at  Center  Star.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the 
seventh  the  rattle  of  musketry  was  borne  to  Rowett's 
ears  from  the  direction  of  Bainbridge  Ferry.  In  a 
moment  he  was  on  Charley  and  away  towards  Sweet 
Water,  five  miles  from  Florence,  and  two  miles  from 
the  river.  Arriving  at  Sweet  Water  he  learns  that  a 
superior  force,  with  two  pieces  of  artillery,  was  on 
the  north  side  of  the  Tennessee.  Immediately 
Colonel  Rowett  dashes  forward  with  Estabrook's 
detachment,  consisting  of  companies  E,  B  and  0,  to 
develop  the  strength  of  the  enemy ;  finding  it  to  be 
strong,  Major  Estabrook  is  ordered  by  Colonel  Rowett 
to  hasten  back  to  Florence  and  bring  out  the  remain- 
ing companies.  In  the  meantime  the  companies  on 
Sweet  Water  are  routed,  with  the  loss  of  Captain 
McGuire,  Lieutenant  Roberts  and  thirty  men,  all 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  239 

taken  prisoner.  The  woods  are  now  swarming  with 
rebels.  Rowett's  attention  is  now  directed  to  the 
train  corraled  at  Florence,  whither  a  retreat  is 
ordered.  Captain  Hector  Perrin  being  left  to  con- 
duct the  retreat,  Rowett  hastens  on  to  Florence  to 
make  preparations  for  the  worst.  Fifteen  hundred 
rebels,  led  by  Eoddy  and  Johnson,  are  now  driving 
Captains  Perrin  and  Smith  towards  Florence,  yelling 
like  so  many  infuriated  demons.  The  train  is  soon 
put  on  the  road  and  started  towards  Lawrenceburg. 
Eager  for  Rowett's  capture,  the  rebels  press  hard. 
East  of  Florence,  on  a  slight  elevation,  Captain 
Smith,  with  the  invincible  E,  takes  his  position  and 
gallantly  holds  in  check 'for  one-half  hour  the  entire 
rebel  command,  thereby  giving  Rowett  time  to  get 
the  wagon  train  well  on,  its  way.  Smith  then  brings 
up  the  rear  on  the  Lawrenceburg  road.  The  rebels 
continue  to  press  hard ;  the  crash  of  artillery  makes 
the  earth  tremble  on  the  road  leading  down  to  Law- 
renceburg. About  every  half  mile  Rowett  is  com- 
pelled to  halt  and  give  battle  to  the  rebels,  who  seem 
loath  to  let  him  escape.  About  eleven  o'clock,  the 
rebels  having  given  up  the  pursuit,  Rowett  goes  into 
camp  between  Raw  Hide  and  Lawrenceburg.  Some 
considerable  time  after  going  into  camp,  Captain 
Johnson,  with  his  company,  joins  the  Colonel,  having 
been  cut  off  at  Florence  from  the  main  command. 
Passing  by  the  way  of  Lawrenceburg,  Rowett  arrived 
in  Pulaski,  Tennessee,  on  the  eighth.  On  the  ninth 
he  gets  part  of  his  stock  shod.  On  the  tenth  he 
leaves  Pulaski,  Tennessee,  for  Prospect  via  Lexing- 


240  HISTORY   OF   THE 

ton,  Alabama,  leaving  Estabrook  with  the  unshod 
mules  and  the  teams  at  Pulaski.  The  Colonel,  with 
his  commandj  swims  Elk  River  in  the  evening  in  the 
midst  ol  a  terrible  storm ;  a  hazardous  undertaking, 
but  information  had  reached  the  Colonel  that  the 
rebels  were  aiming  to  head  him  off  and  to  burn  the 
large  railroad  bridge  spanning  the  Elk  at  Prospect. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  the  eleventh  he  reached 
Prospect  in  time  to  save  the  weakly  guarded  bridge 
from  rebel  wrath.  Though  we  were  not  with  the 
Colonel,  we  judge  from  the  appearance  of  the  men 
accompanying  him,  that  he  passed  through  some 
fierce  htfurs.  A  colonel  with  less  bravery  than 
Colonel  Rowett  would  have  faltered  had  he  stood 
like  he  did  in  that  raging  storm  on  the  banks  of  the 
Elk  River,  and  beheld  its  frightful  current.  But 
duty  demanded  it ;  the  safety  of  the  bridge  at  Pros- 
pect required  it.  Thus  urged  on,  Rowett  led  and 
his  men  followed,  and  the  daring  deed  was  accom- 
plished. It  now  seems  that  all  the  rebel  force  in 
North  Alabama  lent  their  aid  for  the  sole  purpose 
of  capturing  Dick  Rowett  and  his  regiment,  who 
have  in  the  last  twelve  months  been  a  terror  to  them 
in  that  region.  All  are  in  fine  spirits  to-night. 
Edwin  M.  Stanton's  war  bulletin — how  cheering  to 
the  soldiers. 

May  14th. — This  morning  Colonel  Rowett,  with 
the  Ninth  Ohio  Cavalry  and  the  Seventh  Illinois 
Mounted  Infantry,  leave  Prospect  on  the  road  lead- 
ing towards  Lexington,  Alabama. 

May  loth. — This  morning  we  move  early,  the 
Ninth  Ohio  taking  the  advance.  We  strike  the 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  241 

• 

Huntsville  road  south  of  Center  Star,  and  soon  learn 
that  Major  Williams,  with  his  battalion,  is  in  camp 
on  the  Douglass  plantation.  Colonel  Rowett,  with 
the  advance  of  the  Ninth  Ohio,  soon  comes  upon  their 
pickets.  The  rebel  battalion  being  saddled  ready  to 
start  to  church,  upon  seeing  Colonel  Rowett  advanc- 
ing, are  soon  in  their  saddles  and  away  towards  the 
Tennessee  where  they  plunge  in  and  succeed  in 
making  their  way  on  to  Cedar  Island,  and  thence 
to  the  opposite  shore.  Charging  upon  their  rear 
at  the  river  the  Ninth  Ohio  capture  twelve  prisoners, 
with  the  loss  of  one  man  killed. 

Monday,  16th. — This  morning  Colonel  Rowett 
moves  with  the  command  towards  Florence,  leaving 
Company  H,  Captain  Ring,  near  Cedar  and  Cox's 
Islands  to  guard  the  crossings.  This  morning  Com- 
pany H  buries  the  Ninth  Ohio  Cavalry's  fallen 
soldier,  who  was  killed  yesterday  evening.  We  lay 
him  in  a  lonely  place  beneath  the  drooping  branches 
of  a  large  tree  on  the  bank  of  the  Tennessee.  Though 
he  is  an  Ohio  soldier,  we  care  for  him  with  the  same 
interest  as  we  would  were  he  one  of  our  own  com- 
pany, and  why  should  we  not,  since  he  has  been  a 
brave  warrior,  fighting  in  the  same  common  cause 
beneath  the  same  starry  banner.  AT  dispatch  from 
Rowett  this  evening  informs  us  that  Roddy  crossed 
the  Tennessee  last  night  at  twelve  o'clock ;  that  he 
would  not  fight  Rowett  on  an  equal  footing.  This 
evening  Colonel  Rowett  arrested  Buckee  and  Judge 
Foster  as  hostages  for  the  delivery  of  Dr.  McVay, 
now  held  by  the  rebels  because  of  his  devotion  to  the 
old  Union. 
11 


242  HISTOKY    OF   THE 

k 

Tuesday,  17th. — To-day  one  company  of  the  Ninth 
Ohio  Cavalry  reports  to  Captain  King.  The  remain- 
der of  Rowett's  command  is  now  deployed  along  the 
Tennessee  Kiver  to  intercept  squads  of  rebels  on  the 
north  side  of  the  river,  seeking  to  cross  to  their  com- 
mands. Late  in  the  evening  Eowett  arrives  with  his 
force  at  Center  Star.  Our  rations  are  now  out  and 
in  consequence  the  soldiers  are  making  heavy  requisi- 
tions upon  the  citizens,  who  no  doubt  before  morning 
will  come  to  the  conclusion  that  they  have  not  gained 
much  by  inviting  Roddy  and  Johnson  across  the 
Tennessee  to  drive  Dick  Rowett  and  his  troopers 
from  North  Alabama.  How  true  it  is  "  that  every 
dog  has  his  day."  At  ten  o'clock  P.  M.,  we  receive 
orders  to  report  immediately  to  Athens,  Alabama. 
"We  are  soon  in  the  saddle  and  on  the  road.  "We 
travel  all  night  and  cross  Elk  River  early  in  the 
morning,  and  arrive  and  go  into  camp  at  Athens 
nine  o'clock  A.  M. 

May  22d. — To-day  Lieutenants  Sullivan  and  Row- 
ett  are  sent  with  a  flag  of  truce  into  North  Alabama, 
to  negotiate  an  exchange  for  our  men  who  were  cap- 
tured on  the  seventh.  Upon  promise  that  our  men 
would  be  sent  to  Decatur  the  following  day,  Lieu- 
tenant Sullivan  surrenders  up  to  Colonel  Johnson 
the  rebel  prisoners  captured  by  us  in  North  Alabama, 
and  returns  to  Athens. 

May  23d. — Instead  of  sending  our  men  as  per 
promise,  Colonel  Johnson,  C.  S.  A.,  sends  a  squad  of 
Federal  soldiers  belonging  to  other  regiments  whose 
term  of  service  would  soon  expire,  thus  breaking  his 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  243 

pledge  of  faith.     Most  honorable  man;  a  true  type 
of  chivalry.     Thou  art  worthy  a  medal. 

June  1st.— -We  receive  orders  to  turn  over  to  the 
Division  A.  Q.  M.,  our  long  eared  friends,  which 
causes  us  all  to  give  a  sigh,  for  they  have  been  faithful 
in  many  things.  Troops  are  now  daily  passing 
through  Athens  on  their  way  South.  From  day  to 
day  we  look  for  orders  that  will  tell  us  to  move. 
On  the  fourteenth  they  come.  Our  faces  will  soon 
be  turned  towards  the  far  sunny  South,  where  the 
angry  passions  of  men  run  high,  and  ere  long  we 
anticipate  days  of  fiery  strife — days  that  will  be 
marked  with  fearful  sacrifice.  May  God  be  with  us. 


CHAPTEK  XIV. 

Leave  Athens  for  Chattanooga — Arrival  at  Chattanooga — Look- 
out Mountain — The  Seventh  Boys  on  its  Summit — Leaving 
Chattanooga — Camp  on  Chicamauga — Moving  down  the  Rail- 
road— Camp  at  Tunnel  Hill — Camp  at  Tilton — Leaving  Tilton  for 
Rome — Camp  on  the  Ehvood  river — Building  barracks — The 
attack  by  the  guerrillas  on  foragers — Scout  of  the  Seventh 
and  Fiftieth  Illinois  in  the  direction  of  Kingston. 

On  the  evening  of  the  15th  we  take  the  cars  for 
Chattanooga.  All  are  in  fine  spirits,  and  as  we 
move  from  Athens  we  are  wont  to  say,  farewell  mules ! 
farewell  North  Alabama !  Arriving  at  Stephenson 
the  train  stops  until  morning,  when  it  again  moves 
on  its  way  southward.  We  are  now  approaching 
Chattanooga.  Lookout  Mountain  is  seen  looming  up 
in  the  dim  distance — it  presents  to  the  eye  of  the 
soldier  an  impressive  grandeur,  impressive  because 
on  its  highest  pinnacle,  a  flag  honored  and  loved  by 
earth's  struggling  people  is  flying  as  it  were  in 
the  atmosphere  of  heaven.  Arriving  at  Chattanooga 
we  leave  the  train  and  march  outside  the  city  limits 
and  go  into  camp  for  the  night. 

June  17th. — It  is  said  we  will  remain  here  for  a 
few  days.  All  is  quiet  this  morning.  Our  camp  is 
at  the  foot  of  Lookout  Mountain,  in  the  Chatta- 
nooga valley.  As  we  look  around  we  are  reminded 
that  blood  has  flowed  and  noble  men  died  here. 
Uncofimed  graves  dot  the  valley  and  the  mountain 
side,  and  here  these  hallowed  mounds  will  ever  appear 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  245 

as  landmarks  to  guide  those  who  have  for  long  weary 
years  sighed  for  human  freedom. 

To-day  the  Seventh  boys  wend  their  way  up  Look- 
out Mountain ;  it  is  a  wearisome  task ;  up  and  up  we 
climb.  Soon  we  are  above  the  clouds  where  Hooker's 
bayonets  clashed  in  midnight  darkness,  when  the 
mountain  was  wrapped  in  one  grand  sheet  of  battle 
flame.  We  are  now  on  Point  Lookout  looking  down 
in  the  valley.  Lowering  clouds  hide  from  our  view 
the  landscape ;  presently  the  clouds  vanish  and  we 
now  behold  Chattanooga  and  her  fortifications  beneath 
our  feet ;  the  winding  Tennessee,  the  current  of  which 
is  moving  on  towards  the  father  of  waters  to  tell  its 
silent  story  of  blood,  and  Mission  Ridge  where  war- 
riors moved  in  the  grand  pageantry  of  battle,  fling- 
ing  to  the  wind  a  hundred  union  battle  flags.  We 
now  turn  our  eyes  towards  the  Chicamauga,  the  river 
of  death.  As  our  eyes  fall  there  we  remember  how 
General  George  H.  Thomas  mastered  Longstreet  and 
saved  the  army  of  the  Cumberland  from  defeat.  As 
we  stand  here  looking  down  to  where  he  stood  that 
fearful  day,  we  imagine  we  see  him  or  them 
watching  the  dust  as  it  rose  from  the  feet  of 
Gordon  Granger's  command.  That  was  a  moment 
of  suspense,  and  we  know  that  General  Thomas's 
heart  leaped  with  joy  when  Captain  Thomas  dashed 
from  that  cloud  of  dust  to  his  side  with  the  compli- 
ments of  General  Gordon  Granger. 

We  now  descend  the  mountain  side  over  the  rugged 
cliffs  and  rocks  that  have  been  stained  with  human 
gore.  Brave  men  sleep  beneath  these  rocks,  but 


246  HISTORY   OF   THE 

Lookout  Mountain  will  ever  stand  as  a  monument  to 
their  memory,  and  through  the  eventful  years  to 
come  will  guard  this  fearful  silence  from  tempest 
and  storm. 

Monday,  20th. — We  receive  orders  this  morning 
to  move,  which  are  hailed  with  cheers  from  the  Sev- 
enth. We  proceed  to  the  Chattanooga  depot  where 
we  take  the  cars  and  are  soon  moving  towards  Atlanta. 
We  are  all  expecting  that  ere  it  is  night  we  will  be 
away  down  in  Georgia,  but  alas  we  are  disappointed. 
The  train  stops  at  Griggsville  and  the  regiment  is 
ordered  off.  Many  rumors  are  now  flying  about  the 
railroad  being  cut.  About  Wheeler's  demonstration, 
all  seems  dark  and  mysterious  to  the  soldier. 

Tuesday,  21st. — We  are  now  camped  upon  the 
banks  of  Chicamauga,  a  name  that  has  gone  to  history 
inscribed  with  deeds  of  blood.  This  evening  com- 
panies D,  H  and  I  receive  marching  orders,  and 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Sullivan  of  com- 
pany I,  (the  captains  of  companies  having  been  left 
back  at  Athens  to  settle  their  mule  accounts  with  the 
A.  Q.  M,)  we  now  move  down  the  railroad.  We  stop 
and  draw  rations  at  Kinggold,  after  which  we  move 
on  about  two  miles  and  go  into  camp  for  the  night. 
The  country  every  where  along  the  railroad  is  all 
desolated.  Trains  pass  up  this  evening  from  Atlanta 
loaded  with  wounded  soldiers  from  Sherman's  army, 
which  tell  us  that  there  has  been  a  fearful  work  of 
blood  down  there. 

Wednesday,  22d. — This  morning  Co.  H  move  on 
to  Tunnel  Hill  and  go  into  camp  in  a  brick  church. 


8ETENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  24:7 

It  seems  that  the  regiment  is  being  deployed  along 
the  railroad  to  do  guard  duty,  and  in  consequence 
the  boys  are  not  in  a  very  good  humor. 

Thursday,  23d. — This  morning  the  regiment  with 
the  exception  of  Companies  D,  H  and  I,  pass  down 
on  the  train  to  Tilton,  leaving  orders  for  these  three 
remaining  companies  to  follow. 

Friday,  24th. — To-day  companies  D,  H  and  I, 
leave  Tunnel  Hill  on  the  cars  for  Tilton,  where  we 
arrive  late  in  the  night.  "We  remain  here  guarding 
the  railroad,  scouting  and  running  after  guerrillas 
until  July  8th,  when  we  take  the  cars  for  Kome, 
Georgia,  to  join  our  division  and  brigade  stationed 
there.  Arriving  at  Kingston  we  change  cars  for 
Rome,  where  we  arrive  on  the  evening  of  the  9th. 
"We  immediately  cross  the  Etawah  river  and  go  into 
camp  one-half  mile  from  the  city. 

Sunday,  10th. — All  quiet  this  morning,  weather 
intensely  hot.  Rome  is  a  beautiful  town  situated  on 
the  Etawah  river,  and  is  now  converted  into  one 
vast  hospital  for  the  wounded  and  sick  soldiers  of  the 
army  of  the  Cumberland. 

Monday,  llth. — This  morning  the  regiment  receives 
orders  to  build  barracks,  and  we  are  told  that  we  will 
remain  here  during  the  summer.  On  the  14th  our 
barracks  are  finished  and  the  regiment  cosily  quar- 
tered therein.  The  picket  line  is  now  affording  con- 
siderable attraction.  The  citizens  are  making  daily 
pilgrimages  thither  with  produce  of  every  kind  to 
trade  to  the  soldiers,  and  now  and  then  some  one 
becomes  victimized  by  some  shrewd  trader. 


24:8  HISTORY   OF   THE 

On  the  1st  day  of  August  Major  Estabrook,  with 
Lieut.  Pool  of  Company  B,  Captain  Lawyer  of  Com- 
pany C,  Captain  McGuire  of  Company  A,  Captain 
Clark  of  Company  D,  Lieutenant  McEvoy  of  Com- 
pany D,  Captain  Knowlton  of  Company  F,  Captain 
Yeager  of  Company  Gr,  Lieutenant  Sayles  of  Corn- 
pa  ny  Gr,  Captain  Ring  of  Company  H,  Lieutenant 
Pegram  of  Company  H,  Lieutenant  Fisher  of  Com- 
pany I,  Lieutenant  Judy  of  Company  E,  and  the 
non-veterans  of  the  different  companies,  leave  for^the 
north  for  muster-out  and  final  discharge  from  the  ser- 
vice ;  their  term  of  service  having  expired  on  the 
25th  of  July,  1864:.  We  all  regret  to  see  these  officers 
and  men  leave  the 'regiment ;  for  we  remember  that 
in  dark  days  they  stood  with  us  :  that  when  the  flag 
trembled  and  brave  men  were  dying,  they  were 
never  found  wanting.  They  have  now  finished  their 
contract — have  performed  their  part,  and  performed 
it  well.  Some  bear  upon  their  persons  honorable 
scars,  which  tell  a  silent  story.  Farewell,  gallant 
men. 

August  15th. — To-day  Colonel  Rowett  assumes 
command  of  the  Third  Brigade,  consisting  of  the 
Seventh,  Fiftieth  and  Fifty-seventh  Illinois  Infantry, 
and  the  Thirty-ninth  Iowa  Infantry,  with  head-quar- 
ters in  Rome. 

August  19th. — Up  to  this  morning  nothing  has 
transpired  to  disturb  the  quiet  of  our  camp  near 
Rome ;  but  this  afternoon  a  little  excitement  is  cre- 
ated in  camp  by  the  attacking  of  a  foraging  party 
sent  out  in  the  morning  under  the  command  of 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY. 

acting-Lieutenant  Billington  of  Company  C,  which 
resulted  in  the  killing  bj  the  guerrillas  of  acting- 
Lieutenant  Billington  of  Company  C,  and  the 
wounding  of  privates  William  Ross  and  Frits  of  com- 
pany D,  and  Dr.  Felty  of  the  hospital  department, 
and  the  loss  of  all  the  mules  belonging  to  the  teams. 
Companies  H  and  K  are  despatched  at  once  to  the 
scene  of  death  and  robbery,  but  no  guerrillas  are  to 
be  found,  all  having  fled  in  great  haste.  The  fray 
happened  at  a  noted  rebel's  house,  to  which  we 
apply  the  torch,  and  return  to  camp. 

Sunday  Afternoon,  August,  21st. — Six  companies 
of  the  Seventh,  and  six  companies  of  the  Fiftieth 
Illinois  Infantry,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Kowett,  leave  Koine  on  a  scout.  "We  inarch  about 
nine  miles  out  on  the  Kingston  road  and  go  into 
camp  for  the  night.  Hogs,  chickens,  roasting-ears 
and  fruit  abound  in  abundance.  "We  live  high 
to-night.  After  all  is  quiet  in  camp,  scouts  are  sent 
out  to  see  if  they  cannot  discover  something  hostile 
said  to  be  threatening  these  parts. 

Monday  morning  the  scouts  return  to  camp  report- 
ing nothing  threatening  in  the  country,  whereupon 
we  return  to  camp,  thus  ending  another  "wild  goose 
chase." 

On  the  8th  of  September  the  regiment  moves 
camp  across  the  Etawah,  north  of  Rome,  where 
they  are  again  ordered  to  build  barracks.  The  boys 
are  fast  becoming  apt  workmen  in  architecture. 
After  building  quarters  and  remaining  in  them  a 
few  days  we  are  again  ordered  back  across  the 
11* 


250  HISTORY    OF   THE 

Etawah,  and  the  third  time  we  build  barracks  since 
our  arrival  at  Kome ;  but  in  these  we  remained 
quietly  until  Hood  commenced  his  movement  north- 
ward. For  awhile  we  will  leave  Kome,  and  invite  the 
•reader  to  go  with  iis  to  the  Allatoona  Pass. 

The  regiment  is  now  armed  with  the  Henry 
repeating  rifle  (sixteen  shooter,)  which  were  obtained 
by  the  men  at  their  own  expense.  These  examples  of 
self-sacrifice  are  worthy  of  loyal  commendation. 


CHAPTEE  XV. 

The  situation — Hood's  retrograde  movement — Gen.  Corse  ordered 
from  Rome  to  the  Allatoona  Pass — Arrival  in  the  evening — 
Finding  the  garrison  surrounded — Preparations  for  battle — 
Battle  of  the  Allatoona  Pass — Companies  E  and  H  deployed  oa 
Skirmish  line — The  demand  for  surrender — The  skirmish  line 
ordered  back— Rowett's  command  in  the  outer  works — Captain 
Smith  holding  at  bay  one  rebel  regiment — The  desperation  of 
the  rebels— The  retreat  to  the  fort — The  fearful  sacrifice — The 
first  charge — General  Corse  wounded — Colonel  Rowett  assumes 
command — The  first  rebel  charge  repulsed — Rowett's  first  order 
— The  attempt  by  the  rebels  to  burn  the  two  million  rations — 
The  second  charge — The  second  repulse — The  third  charge — 
Sherman  on  Kenesaw  Mountain — Sherman's  dispatch  to  Gen- 
eral Corse — The  third  repulse — The  fourth  charge — Colonel 
Rowett's  fort  at  Slaughter-pen — The  rebels  compelled  to  give 
way  in  dispair — Colonel  Rowett  wounded — Captain  Rattrey 
assumes  command — The  Seventh  with  their  sixteen-shooters — 
The  close  of  the  battle — The  dead  and  wounded  in  Rowett's  fort 
— Companies  E,  H  and  K  on  picket — The  rain — The  list  of  casu- 
alties— Honorable  mention — Burying  the  dead — Caring  for  the 
wounded — Return  to  Rome — Death  of  the  Seventh's  drummer 
boy — Hood  contriving  to  move  northward — General  Sherman — 
Indications  of  some  gigantic  movement. 

On  Monday,  the  third  of  October,  it  was  known  to 
General  Sherman  that  General  Hood,  with  thirty 
thousand  foot  and  ten  thousand  horse,  supplied  with 
the  nececsary  munitions  of  war  to  give  battle,  was  on 
the  north  side  of  the  Chattahoochee  River,  moving 
northward.  Never  before  in  the  annals  of  American 
history  had  there  been  such  a  succession  of  startling 


252  HISTOEY  OF  THE 

events.  The  bridge  over  the  Chattahoochee  had  been 
washed  away  in  a  storm,  Forrest  had  severed  com- 
munications between  Chattanooga  and  Nashville, 
drift-wood  had  leveled  the  bridge  spanning  the  Aus- 
tanula  River  at  Resaca,  and  a  large  body  of  rebel 
cavalry  held  Big  Shanty.  Such  was  the  situation 
when  the  stars  peeped  out  from  their  ether  bed  in 
the  clear  blue  sky  Monday  morning.  It  was  appar- 
ent to  Sherman  that  Hood  would  throw  a  consider- 
able force  against  the  weak  garrison  at  Allatoona 
Pass,  where  were  stored  over  two  million  oi  rations. 
Sherman  knew  if  these  were  taken  his  men  would 
be  in  a  perilous  condition.  A  commander  with  less 
resources  than  General  Sherman  would  have  con- 
templated the  situation  with  horror ;  but  not  so  with 
the  hero  of  Eocky  Face,  Kenesaw  and  Atlanta.  Sig- 
naling from  the  summit  of  Kenesaw,  thirty  miles 
across  the  country,  to  General  Corse,  commanding  at 
Home,  he  directs  him  to  take  all  his  available  force 
to  the  Allatoona  Pass,  and  hold  it  against  all  oppo 
sition  until  he  (Sherman)  himself  could  arrive  with 
help.  In  compliance  with  these  orders  General 
Corse,  with  the  Twelfth  Illinois  Infantry  and  Colonel 
Rowett's  brigade,  consisting  of  the  Seventh,  Fifteenth 
and  Fifty-seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  and  the  Thirty- 
ninth  Iowa  Infantry,  in  all  about  fifteen  hundred, 
proceeds  by  rail  towards  the  Allatoona  hills,  where 
we  arrive  late  in  the  night  and  find  that  one  division 
from  Hood's  army,  commanded  by  General  French, 
was  already  surrounding  the  place.  The  train  that 
carried  Corse  and  his  fifteen  hundred  might  have 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  253 

been  checked.  The  enemy  saw  the  train  approach- 
ing and  permitted  it  to  pass  in  unmolested,  think- 
ing it  was  a  train  from  Chattanooga  loaded  with 
supplies  for  Sherman's  army,  and  therefore  would 
make  a  fine  addition  to  their  game,  which  with  their 
overwhelming  force  they  weie  considering  as  good  as 
captured.  Sad,  sad  mistake  was  this,  as  the  sequel 
will  show.  As  soon  as  the  train  moves  through  the 
pass  the  regiment  leaps  from  the  train;  General 
Corse  and  Colonel  Rowett  soon  form  their  battle 
lines,  making  all  necessary  dispositions  for  the 
threatening  battle,  after  which  the  men  are  ordered 
to  lie  down  upon  the  ground  to  rest ;  but  it  is  a  night 
betore  the  battle  and  the  soldiers  cannot  rest.  Men 
are  hurrying  to  and  fro ;  their  voices  are  hushed,  for 
thought  is  busy  with  them  all ;  they  are  thinking  of 
the  coming  strife,  thinking  whether  they  will  live  to 
see  the  old  Union's  battle  flag  float  over  these  hills 
triumphant ;  thinking  of  the  sables  of  grief  that  will 
be  unfolded  in  memory  of  those  who  will  lie  down 
to  sleep  death's  silent  sleep  ere  the  sun  sinks  again 
beneath  the  ocean's  wave. 

"  Day  is  dawning  dimly,  grayly, 

In  the  border  of  the  sky ; 
And  soon  the  drum  will  banish 
Sleep  from  every  soldier's  eye." 

The  sun  is  now  rising  from  behind  the  eastern 
hills.  The  rebels  have  been  at  work  all  night  pre- 
paring for  the  assault.  Companies  E  and  H,  com- 
manded by  Captain  Smith,  are  now  deployed  forward 
on  a  skirmish  line  down  the  railroad  south  of  the 


254:  HISTOEY   OF    THE 

depot.  A  demand  for  General  Corse  to  surrender 
is  now  made  by  General  French.  Says  lie  to  Corse : 
"  I  have  Allatoona  surrounded  by  a  superior  force, 
and  to  stay  the  needless  effusion  of  blood  I  demand 
your  surrender."  General  Corse  replies:  "I  am 
prepared  for  the  '  needless  effusion  of  blood.' ' 
Firing  soon  commences  upon  the  skirmish  line  from 
the  south,  and  directly  a  rebel  battery  opens  with 
grape  and  canister  upon  our  line,  killing  one  man 
belonging  to  Company  H — private  John  Etterlain, 
the  first  to  fall  in  Allatoona's  great  battle.  About 
ten  o'clock  we  discover  the  enemy  massing  their 
forces  on  the  Cartersville  road  west  of  the  railroad. 
Colonel  Rowett  perceiving  that  the  main  battle  would 
be  on  his  front,  sent  Captain  Rattrey,  of  his  staff,  to 
order  the  companies  forming  the  skirmish  line  south, 
to  report  to  the  regiment  immediately.  The  skir- 
mish line  falls  back  in  order,  contesting  manfully 
every  foot  of  ground. 

"Hark  !     A  roaring  like  the  tempest ! 
'Tis  a  thundering  of  the  war  steeds  ! 
Like  a  whirlwind  on  they're  rushing; 
Let  them  come,  but  come  to  die  ; 
Finding  foemen  ever  ready 
For  the  fray,  but  not  to  fly." 

We  cast  our  eyes  to  the  south-east  and  behold  a 
heavy  force  moving  towards  the  depot.  This  force 
soon  strikes  our  left  and  forces  it  back.  The  whole 
rebel  force,  six  thousand  strong,  is  now  sweeping  on 
to  the  Allatoona  hills.  The  Seventh  Illinois  and  the 
Thirty-ninth  Iowa  are  standing  like  a  wall  of  fire  in 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  255 

the  outer  works  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  Carters- 
ville  road.  The  storm  breaks  upon  them  in  all  its 
mad  fury ;  the  Seventh  is  now  struggling  against  the 
reckless  rush  of  the  infuriated  rebels  that  are  swarm- 
ing towards  their  front.  The  sixteen-shooters  are 
doing  their  work;  the  very  air  seems  to  grow  faint  as 
it  breathes  their  lurid  flame.  Colonel  Rowett  soon 
after  the  first  onset  discovers  a  rebel  regiment  charg- 
on  to  the  right  flank  from  the  northwest,  threatening 
to  sweep  it  back  like  so  much  chaff.  Captain  Smith, 
with  noble  Conipany  E,  is  ordered  to  stem  the  wild 
tide  in  that  direction.  In  a  moment  he  doubles  into 
confusion  this  rebel  regiment.  It  is  soon  discovered 
that  it  will  be  madness  to  attempt  to  hold  the  weakly 
constructed  outer  works.  A  retreat  is  ordered  ;  the 
Seventh  and  Thirty-ninth  Iowa  fall  back  slowly; 
rebel  shot  are  plowing  great  furrows  in  the  earth ; 
rebel  shot  fill  the  air  ;  they  fly  everywhere ;  men  are 
falling ;  the  ground  is  being  covered  with  the  dead 
and  dying.  Colonel  Rowett  is  taken  to  the  fort 
wounded,  from  which  he  soon  recovers  and  vigor- 
ously enters  into  the  fight.  The  forts  were  gained 
by  a  fearful  sacrifice.  Colonel  Rowett,  with  the 
Seventh  and  a  few  companies  of  the  Fifty-seventh 
and  Twelfth  Illinois  and  the  Thirty-ninth  Iowa,  is 
now  in  the  fort,  west  of  the  railroad.  Colonel  Tou- 
tellotte,  with  the  Ninety-third  ^Illinois,*  Fiftieth  Illi- 
nois (Colonel  Hanna's  old  half  hundred),  takes  pos- 
session of  the  fort  east  of  the  railroad.  General 
Corse  takes  his  position  in  the  fort  with  Colonel 
Rowett's  brigade,  where  seems  to  be  the  main  drift 


256  HISTORY    OF   THE 

of  battle.  The  retreat  into  the  forts  and  the  neces- 
sary dispositions  were  all  performed  in  a  moment — 
performed  amid  tire  and  smoke,  while  noble  men 
were  dying.  The  hurried  retreat  into  the  fort 
seemed  to  encourage  the  demons. 

"  At  once  they  raised  so  wild  a  yell, 
As  if  all  the  fiends  from  heaven  that  fell 
Had  pealed  the  banner  cry  of  hell." 

On,  on,  with  fiendish  yells  they  come  rushing  to  the 
breach.  Over  the  hills  and  up  the  ravines  they 
charge;  it  is  now  hand  to  hand,  man  to  man ;  Colonel 
Kowett  and  his  men  fight  desperately.  General 
Corse  is  now  wounded ;  he  has  been  fighting  man- 
fully ;  man  never  before  stood  as  he  stood  in  this  scene 
of  death ;  never  before  contended  as  he  contended 
against  these  fearful  odds.  Fainting  from  loss  of  blood, 
he  has  fallen  back  upon  the  blood  stained  ground.  It 
is  now  half-past  ten  o'clock.  Colonel  Rowett  assumes 
command;  his  first  order  is  to  send  for  Colonel 
Hanna  and  his  "  half  hundred."  He  knows  they  are 
the  true  steel.  By  the  severe  fire  from  the  fort  west 
of  the  railroad  the  enemy's  lines  are  broken.  Colonel 
Hanna  is  now  cutting  his  way  to  E-owett's  fort. 
Crossing  the  railroad  near  the  depot,  he  strikes  the 
enemy  attempting  to  burn  the  warehouse  containing 
the  two  millions  of  rations  and  in  a  gallant  manner 
drives  them  back ;  he  rushes  into  Kowett's  fort  with 
a  heavy  loss.  The  rebels  are  now  preparing  for 
another  desperate  charge;  reformed,  they  rush  up 
like  mad  men  threatening  to  crush  into  dust  the 
gallant  fifteen  hundred. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  257 

"I  heard  the  bayonets'  deadly  clang, 
As  if  a  hundred  anvils  rang." 

The  kills  tremble ;  the  fort  is  wrapped  with  fearful 
flame.  Amid  dying  groans  the  cannon  crashes,  to 
sweep  down  the  angry  rebels  to  a  suicidal  death. 
The  grand  one-half  hundred,  the  reckless  Seventh, 
the  undaunted  Fifty-seventh  Illinois,  and  the  fiery 
Thirty-ninth  Iowa,  barricade  the  Allatoona  walls 
with  their  frightful  steel.  Men  are  falling;  their  life 
blood  is  streaming.  The  rebels  driven  to  despera- 
tion, attempt  to  cross  the  defences,  but  they  are 
thrown  back  in  wild  confusion.  But  lo !  they  are 
rallying  again,  preparing  for  a  third  charge.  Again 
they  rush  on  to  engage  in  the  awful  work  of  carnage. 
The  smoke  from  our  cannons  makes  wrathful  heaves. 
Terrible  red  hot  flames  of  battle  shoot  from  the  hill. 
During  the  last  three  hours  an  interested  spectator 
has  been  standing  upon  Kenesaw,  watching  the  pro- 
gress of  the  battle.  Soon  a  dispatch  is  read  in  the 
fort : 

"Hold  Allatoona!  hold  Allatoona,  and  I  will  assist 
you. 

(Signed)  W.  T.  SHERMAN." 

Closer  and  closer  the  determined  rebels  come ; 
Many  have  already  fallen.  Weaker  and  weaker  the 
command  is  becoming.  The  Seventh,  with  their  six- 
teen-shooters,  which  has  been  the  main  dependence, 
is  now  running  short  of  ammunition,  and  Colonel 
Kowett  orders  them  to  hold  their  fire,  and  let  the  Fif- 
tieth Illinois  and  the  thirty-ninth  Iowa  bayonet  the 


258  HISTORY   OF   THE 

rebels  in  case  they  attempt  again  to  scale  the  defences. 
General  Corse,  as  brave  a  spirit  as  ever  battled  in 
the  cause  of  human  freedom,  raises  from  his  matress 
and  cries  "Hold  Allatoona!  hold  Allatoona."  The 
third  time  the  rebels  are  driven  back  from  the  fort ; 
they  are  now  preparing  for  the  fourth  charge ;  Colonel 
Kowett's  fort  has  become  one  vast  slaughter-pen. 
But  look !  the  frenzied  rebels  come  swarming  on  to 
the  breach  again.  This  is  the  hour  that  will  try  our 
steel.  They  are  now  passing  over  their  already 
beaten  road,  stained  with  blood.  Again  they  are 
charging  up  to  crush  the  Spartan  band.  It  is  now 
one  o'clock ;  for  three  long  hours  clouds  of  darkness 
have  mantled  these  hills ;  they  now  seem  to  be 
growing  darker.  The  command  is  every  moment 
growing  weaker  and  weaker  ;  a  large  portion  of  the 
fifteen  hundred  have  been  killed  and  wounded,  and 
.still  the  battle  rages  in  its  mad  fury ;  still  the  besieged 
are  pressed  hard.  Colonel  Kowett  now  succeeds  in 
getting  the  artillery  loaded  and  manned,  which  for 
some  time  has  been  silent.  It  is  shotted  to  the 
muzzle ;  all  ready,  the  men  are  commanded  to  raise 
the  yell,  and  into  the  very  faces  of  the  rebels  the 
death  messengers  are  hurled,  which  is  repeated 
several  times  until  the  rebels  commence  to  give  way 
in  despair.  Just  at  this  moment,  half-past  one 
o'clock,  Colonel  Rowett  is  badly  wounded  in  the 
head.  Captain  Rattrey,  a  member  of  his  staff,  being 
the  ranking  officer  left,  now  assumes  command  and 
heroically  carries  on  the  battle.  The  awful  work  of 
death  is  drawing  to  a  close ;  the  rebels  are  now  flying. 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  259 

The  Seventh,  with  their  sixteen-shooters,  are  per- 
forming a  terrible  work  of  death;  the  enemy  is  driven 
from  the  Allatoona  hills  like  chaff  before  the  winds 
of  heaven. 

"  None  linger  now  upon  the  plains, 
Save  those  who  ne'er  shall  fight  again." 

The  great  battle  of  Allatoona  is  now  over ;  the  six 
thousand  rebels,  save  those  who  are  dead  and 
wounded,  are  now  retreating  in  commotion  from  the 
Allatoona  hills.  Corse,  Rowett  and  Tourtellotte, 
with  the  survivors  of  the  gallant  fifteen  hundred, 
fling  their  tattered  and  blood  washed  banners  trium- 
phantly over  this  field  of  death.  As  victors  of  the 
Pass  they  stand  with  about  half  of  their  number 
lying  dead  and  wounded  at  their  feet.  We  now 
look  around  us  and  behold  the  forts  dripping  with 
blood.  Who  do  we  see  lying  here,  cold  and  stiff? 
It  is  our  comrade,  Samuel  Walker.  We  cast  our 
eyes ) to  another  spot;  who  is  that  who  lies  there 
in  such  agony,  so  fearfully  wounded?  It  is  the 
brave  Sergeant  Edward  C.  Nichols.  Gallant  spirit, 
we  fear  it  will  soon  take  its  flight  from  its  tenement 
of  clay.  Noble  soldier,  thy  work  is  done ;  no  more 
will  you  be  permitted  to  stand  in  war's  tempest  of 
fire;  no  more  will  you  battle  in  this  struggle  for 
man's  equality.  We  attempt  to  move  through  the 
fort  defended  by  Colonel  Rowett's  brigade,  and  we 
find  it  almost  impossible  without  trespassing  upon 
the  dead.  Oh !  what  an  awful  work  of  death !  Has 
the  blood-wrought  history  of  the  nineteenth  century 


260  HISTORY   OF   THE 

equaled  it!  We  think  not,  and  we  dare  say  that  this 
generation  will  pass  away  ere  another  Allatoona  shall 
be  given  to  the  history  of  the  western  world.  We 
succeed  in  changing  our  position.  Who  do  we  see 
here,  wounded  and  bleeding?  we  look  again.  Our 
heart  beats  quick.  'Tis  the  Hackney  brothers,  lying 
side  by  side.  We  are  wont  to  say,  here  we  see  the 
embodiment  of  manhood.  They  looked  like  boys 
before  the  battle,  but  they  look  like  men  now.  Look 
at  that  cheek,  behold  that  frightful  gash.  'Tis  a 
mark  of  royalty.  When  future  years  shall  have 
rolled  down  the  stream  of  time,  and  when  the 
country  is  at  peace,  on  that  cheek  will  be  a  scar  that 
will  lead  the  mind  back  to  the  eventful  years  that 
saw  this  nation  leap  like  a  giant  from  her  thrall- 
dona  of  tyrany.  Night  now  comes  on,  and  soon  it 
commences  to  rain.  The  larger  companies,  E,  Hand 
K,  with  what  men  they  have  left,  are  placed  on 
picket.  This  is  the  most  doleful  night  that  ever 
dawned  upon  the  Seventh.  While  we  stand  here 
on  these  hills,  amid  storm  and  rain,  our  hearts  are 
sad  when  we  look  around  and  see  so  many  of  our 
number  still  and  cold  in  death,  and  so  many  wounded 
and  dying. 

"  Ah  !  this  morning  how  lightly  throbbed 
Full  many  a  heart  that  death  has  robbed 
Of  its  pulses  warm,  and  the  caskets  lie 
As  cold  as  the  winter's  starless  sky." 

But  we  all.  feel  glad  to-night  to  know  that  we 
hurled  back  from  the  pass  Hood's  angry  hosts  ;  that 
we  sustained  the  flag,  saved  the  two  millions  of 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  261 

rations,  saved  Sherman's  army,  and  helped  to  save 
the  Union.  While  out  here  in  these  dark  woods, 
while  the  cold  winds  are  blowing,  we  are  thinking  of 
our  noble  comrades  who  were  wounded  to-day.  We 
know  that  they  are  suffering  to-night.  We  are  all 
anxious  about  the  gallant  Rowett,  for  the  Surgeon 
tells  us  that  he  is  dangerously  wounded.  The  prayer 
of  the  Seventh  to-night  is  that  he  may  recover ;  that 
he  may  yet  live  to  lead  forth,  if  need  be,  the  gallant 
old  Third  Brigade  in  other  battles  in  the  war  for  the 
Union. 

The  morning  of  the  sixth  dawns  beautifully,  but 
upon  a  field  of  death — a  field  of  blood ;  but  thanks 
be  ta  God,  it  dawns  with  the  old  flag  triumphant. 
We  will  again  walk  among  the  dead  and  wounded. 
The  loss  of  the  Seventh  has  been  fearful.  At  Fort 
Donelson,  Shiloh  and  Corinth  our  loss  was  heavy, 
but  our  loss  in  this  battle  exceeds  our  whole  loss  in 
those  three  great  battles.  The  following  list  of  the 
Seventh's  casualties  in  this  battle  will  speak  for 
itself;  will  alone  tell  how  fierce  was  the  storm  of 
battle  that  raged  on  these  hills. 

STAFF. —  Wounded :  ^  Colonel  E.  Eowett,  in  the 
head,  severely ;  Adjutant  J.  S.  Kobinson,  severely. 

COMPANY  A. — Killed :  CorporalHenry  C.  Hasson. 
Wounded  :  Sergeant  James  O'Donnell. 

COMPANY  B. — Killed  :  Privates  Philip  Saules, 
Jonathan  Bishop ;  Wounded:  private  John  Hunter. 

COMPANY  C- — Killed  :  Privates  Andrew  Hellgoth, 
John  Me  Alpine ;  Corporal  John  B.  Hubreht. 


262  HISTORY    OF    THE 

COMPANY  D. — Company  D  was  left  at  Eome  on 
guard  duty,  therefore  was  not  with  the  regiment  at 
the  Allatoona  Pass. 

COMPANY  E. — Killed  :  Privates  James  F.  Burk, 
George  W.  Eversole,  Michael  F.  Galbraith,  Marion 
R.  Kampf,  Francis  Love,  David  Roberts,  Lewis  C. 
Stroud,  Calvin  A.  Summers,  John  W.  Watt,  W.  H. 
Burwell,  Lewis  J.  Allman,  Levi  Allen,  Ezra  M. 
Miller,  Elias  Hainline,  Leonidas  Burkholder,  Cor- 
poral William  Smith.  Wounded :  Sergeant  and 
Color  Bearer  Joseph  Bordwell ;  Privates  L.  D. 
Barnes,  George  G.  Brooks,  Lewis  A.  Burk,  Abner 
W.  Burwell,  Samuel  H.  Ewing,  Angelo  Y.  Faucett, 
Albert  Gardner,  Phillip  J.  Gossard,  John  F.  Hainline, 
James  A.  Hedges,  George  Sullivan,  Edwin  R. 
Jones,  Thomas  Gardner,  A.  N.  Roelofson,  James 
M.  Allman,  John  L.  Forbes,  Joseph  Lancaster,  Eli 
Mushrush,  Samuel  M.  Watt.  Corporal  Henry  C. 
Montjoy;  Taken  Prisoner  :  N.  A.  Bovee,  Samuel 
H.  Jones,  William  E.  Verry,  William  H.  Miller. 

COMPANY  F. — Killed  :  Privates  Philip  Hale,  John 
Phillips,  Henry  M.  Robbins,  Eldridge  Walton, 
Nathan  D.  Atchison.  Wounded :  Privates  James 
Kelley,  Robert  B.  Kelley,  G;eorge  Brenton;  Ser- 
geant John  McTurk. 

COMPANY  G. — No  separate  record  given — consoli- 
dated with  Company  I. 

COMPAMY  H. — Killed  :  Corporal  Samuel  Walker ; 
Privates  Henry  Bigler,  John  Etterlain,  William  T. 
Taylor,  John  White,  Timothy  Hoblitt,  James  L. 
Parish.  Wounded  :  Sergeant  William  P.  Hackney, 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  263 

severely  ;  Edward  C.  Nicholas,  severely ;  Privates 
Oscar  J.  Hackney,  slightly ;  John  E.  J.  Wood, 
severely ;  Richard  P.  Graham,  severely ;  James  M. 
Halbert,  slightly  ;  Aaron  Watkins,  slightly  ;  Ferdi- 
nand Capps,  severely.  Taken  Prisoner :  Thomas 
Caylor,  William  K.  Skiver,  George  W.  Ballard. 

COMPANY  I. — Killed  :  First  Lieutenant  John  E. 
Sullivan,  Sergeant  Charles  Myres,  Corporal  William 
Ecker,  Privates  John  W.  Johnson,  Ira  Carey. 
Wounded:  Privates  Daniel  O'Keefe,  Alfred  Scott, 
James  Andrews,  George  Harris,  William  Massey.  • 

COMPANY  K. — Killed :  Privates  E.  Thompson, 
Martin  Y.  Kelton,  Jesse  C.  Botkins.  Wounded  : 
Corporals  John  W.  Bowman,  Walter  Smith ;  Pri- 
vates Grundy  McClure,  Thesbold  Steinberg,  Lewis 
P.  Moore,  Albert  H.  Duff,  John  P.  Yan  Dyke,  Julius 
Wolf.  Total  killed,  42,  total  wounded,  53. 

Though  the  Union  loss  is  heavy,  though  Illinois, 
Iowa  and  Minnesota,  offered  a  fearful  sacrifice ; 
we  behold  in  looking  around  us  a  great  many  more 
of  the  traitors  weltering  in  their  gore.  Six  hundred 
rebels  poured  out  their  life  blood — poured  it  out 
upon  these  hills  for  naught — six  hundred  lie  still  in 
death,  and  as  many  more  are  wounded.  Ah!  what 
an  ill-fated  field  Allatoona  has  been  to  them.  "They 
came  for  bread ;  Corse  gave  them  war  and  lead." 
Their  wounded  tell  us  they  never  fought  such  men. 
Says  a  rebel  officer,  "I  believe  those  Illinois  and  Iowa 
boys  who  were  in  yonder  fort  (pointing  to  the  fort 
General  Corse,  Colonel  Rowett  and  his  Third 
Brigade  occupied,)  would  have  all  died  before  they 


264  HISTORY  OF  THE 

would  have  surrendered."  All  day  the  6th  we  are 
engaged  caring  for  the  wounded  and  burying  the 
dead.  On  the  hill  the  Seventh  bury  their  fellow- 
heroes.  The  regiment  is  now  small,  the  survivors 
look  sorrowful ;  now  and  then  we  see  tears  steal 
down  the  bronzed  cheeks  to  fall  and  perish  upon  the 
lonely  graves.  Praises  for  Colonel  Kowett  are  on 
every  tongue.  Allatoona  tells  us  that  no  braver 
warrior  ever  drew  a  sword  in  battle.  In  the  thick- 
est of  the  conflict  he  was  ever  found,  cheering  his 
men  when  disaster  threatened,  leading  amid  dire 
confusion.  In  Allatoona's  great  battle  he  stood  by 
the  flag,  and  around  him  and  it  his  men  rallied ; 
rallied  to  fall  and  die ;  rallied  to  see  it  victorious. 
But  how  sad  were  his  men  when  they  saw  him  fall ; 
when  they  saw  him  bleeding ;  when  they  saw  him 
fainting  from  loss  of  blood.  But  remembering  his 
words  of  cheer;  remembering  his  command  to  die 
rather  than  let  the  flag  be  lowered ;  his  men  strug- 
gled on  and  proved  themselves  true  to  their  Colonel 
and  their  flag,  and  the  sun  went  down  with  the 
fifteen-hundred  triumphant,  and  that  evening  the 
Union's  proud  banner  looked  more  beautiful  than  it 
had  ever  before  looked — more  beautiful  because  it 
stood  upon  another  victorious  field. 

Lieutenant  John  E.  Sullivan,  of  Company  I,  'fell 
fighting  like  a  Spartan.  Heroically  he  braved  the 
frightful  tempest  and  went  down  crowned  all  over 
with  laurels  of  glory.  He  fell  mortally  wounded 
in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  and  died  about  ten 
o'clock  the  next  morning.  We  were  called  to  his 


SEVENTH -ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  265 

side  as  liis  last  moments  of  life  were  drawing  nigh. 
Says  lie,  "Give  my  sword  to  the  gallant  William 
Hackney  of  Company  H,"  (which  company  he  com- 
manded until  he  fell.)  "Brave  men,  I  will  soon 
leave  you, — will  soon  pass  the  river  of  death. "  We 
stood  by  his  side  again,  but  his  spirit  had  departed, 
and  the  noble  warrior  was  free  from  the  angry  strife 
of  men. 

Lieutenant  John  S.  Kobinson,  A.  A.  A.  G.  on 
Colonel  Rowett's  staff,  was  severely  wounded  during 
the  last  charge  of  the  rebels,  and  no  one  performed  his 
part  more  gallantly  in  this  great  battle  than  did  this 
officer.  Where  the  battle  raged  fiercest  there  he 
was  ever  found.  He  was  standing  by  the  side  of 
Colonel  Rowett,  struggling  against  the  wild  tide  of 
battle  as  but  few  men  have  ever  struggled  in  this 
terrible  war,  until  the  scales  began  to  show  signs 
favorable  to  the  fifteen-hundred,  when  he  was 
stricken  down,  (which  was  but  a  short  time  before 
the  battle  closed.)  He  is  dangerously  wounded 
and  we  fear  his  days  will  soon  be  numbered.  Cour- 
ageous soldier !  we  can  only  say  of  him  he  was  true ; 
that  he  did  his  duty,  and  did  it  well. 

Colonel  Hanna,  the  dashing  commander  of  the 
Fifteenth  Illinois,  was  among  the  most  conspicuous  in 
this  battle.  With  his  impetuous  and  irresistible  regi- 
ment he  stood  as  firm  as  a  gigantic  rock,  and  against 
his  front  of  bristling  steel  French's  hungry  rebels 
hurled  themselves,  but  in  vain  did  they  attempt 
to  crush  the  gallant  "half-hundred,"  for  when  the 
fearless  Hanna  threw  himself  into  the  most  dan- 
12 


266  HISTORY  OF  THE 

gerous  ordeal,  making  his  clarion  voice  heard  above 
the  loud  din  of  battle,  the  eyes  of  his  brave  men  grew 
brighter  and  each  heart  was  kindled  with  the  fire 
that  ever  warms  the  patriot's  heart,  "We  remember 
when  the  very  air  was  red  with  flame,  when  the 
earth  was  strewn  with  the  mangled  dead,  when  the 
sun  seemed  to  be  hid  behind  an  awful  sheet  of  fire  ; 
how  anxiously  we  watched  Colonel  Hanna  moving 
with  his  regiment  from  beyond  the  railroad  to  the 
support  of  Colonel  Kowett.  Oh  !  that  was  a  trying 
hour ;  the  leaden  hail  flew  thick  and  fast ;  it  was  a 
march  of  death,  for  ere  they  reached  Colonel  Rowett's 
fort  many  of  their  number  had  fallen.  But  how 
glad  were  the  men  of  the  Seventh  Illinois  when 
that  grand  old  regiment  rushed  into  the  fort  and 
waved  over  the  ramparts  their  shattered  battle  flag. 
It  was  a  glorious  hour,  glorious  because  we  felt 
encouraged  and  strengthened.  We  will  never  for- 
get that  period  in  the  battle  ;  will  never  forget 
Colonel  Hanna  and  his  noble  men  who  made  that 
memorable  charge  across  the  railroad  and  cut  their 
way  through  to  Colonel  Rowett's  fort,  a  work  which 
for  fierceness  has,  we  believe,  never  been  surpassed 
in  this  war. 

Captain  Rattrey  of  the  Fifty-seventh,  aid  to  Col. 
Rowett,  excited  the  admiration  of  every  one  for  his 
bravery,  accompanied  with  so  much  coolness  and 
judgment.  He  was  found  constantly  by  Colonel 
Rowett's  side,  executing  his  orders  with  a  prompt- 
ness that  was  indeed  remarkable.  When  the  crush- 
ing tide  of  battle  bore  down  Colonel  Rowett,  Cap- 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  267 

tain  Rattrey  could  not  find  a  field  officer  in  the 
brigade  to  report  to ;  every  one  down  to  Ins  rank 
having  fallen  as  victims — either  dead  or  wounded. 
The  gallant  defenders  of  the  Pass  who  had  been 
struggling  through  long  weary  hours,  were  now 
making  their  last  desperate  struggle,  and  signs  were 
appearing  that  seemed  to  tell  of  a  turning  point  in 
the  battle, — seemed  to  tell  that  the  boys  in  blue  were 
about  to  gain  the  mastery,  were  about  to  hurl  back 
from  the  pass  Hood's  insane  legions.  There  was 
no  time  to  lose,  and  Captain  Rat  trey  fearing  that  the 
men  who  had  fought  so  long,  and  so  well,  who  had 
seen  so  many  of  their  comrades  fall  and  die,  would 
soon  become  exhausted,  leaped  like  a  giant  from 
where  lay  the  bleeding  and  seemingly  lifeless  Rowett, 
and  with  the  robust  courage  of  an  angel  in  his  soul 
assumed  command  of  the  gallant  old  Third  Brigade 
and  conducted  the  battle  to  its  glorious  consum- 
mation. There  seemed  to  be  no  post  of  danger  that 
Captain  Rattrey  did  not  wish  to  occupy.  . 

In  looking  around  us  we  miss  many  noble  men 
who  are  now  sleeping  in  death's  cold  embrace,  Lib- 
erty in  its  great  trial  claimed  them  as  sacrifices  on 
its  altar ;  but  not  for  naught,  .as  history  will  declare 
when  this  generation  shall  have  long  passed  away. 
Private  soldiers  though  they  were,  they  performed 
their  part,  and  hence  are  as  worthy  the  country's 
gratitude  as  those  in  higher  positions,  who  offered 
up  their  lives  in  this  battle. 

We  cannot  pass  without  alluding  to  the  gallantry 
of  Corporal  Samuel  "Walker  of  Company  EL  He 


268  HISTORY    OF   THE 

was  standing  with  Colonel  liowett,  and  while  fight- 
ing bravely  in  one  of  the  desperate  rebel  charges 
the  flag  comes  falling  down  over  his  head,  and  ere 
it  reaches  the  blood  stained  earth,  Corporal  Walker 
is  seen  to  grasp  its  shot-riven  staff,  and  with  its 
silken  shreds  falling  around  him,  he  mounted  the 
works  and  there  in  one  of  the  wildest  battle  storms 
that  ever  left  blood  in  its  wake,  he  waved  it  defiantly 
in  the  face  of  arch-treason, — waved  it  until  a  minie 
went  crashing  through  his  brain, — waved  it  until  he 
fell,  and  there  in  blood  under  that  grand  old  flag, 
the  pride  of  his  heart,  the  glory  of  his  manhood, 
he  died — died  for  the  flag,  died  for  his  country, 
died  for  liberty.  Glorious  spirit!  may  his  name 
ever  shine  bright  in  the  book  of  perpetual  remem- 
brance as  one  of  the  boldest  who  helped  to  defend 
this  second  Thermopylae ! 

But  all  were  brave,  and  like  the  legions  of  Bruce 
and  the  lovers  of  Sparta,  they  struggled  against  an 
adverse  tide  ;  for  four  fearful  hours  they  held  it  in 
check ;  at  last  they  turned  it,  and  above  streams  of 
blood,  the  groans  of  the  dying  and  the  shouts  of 
victors,  light  from  the  Union's  proud  banner  seemed 
to  flash  against  the  .sky.  How  proud  were  the 
Illinois  and  Iowa  boys  when  the  noble  Corse, 
wounded  and  bleeding,  said  there  was  not  a  cow- 
ard in  the  great  battle  of  the  Allatoona  Pass";  and 
prouder  still  were  the  men  of  the  Seventh,  when 
he  said,  "Colonel,  your  regiment  sustained  the 
heaviest  loss ;  I  will  give  it  the  post  of  honor." 
Before  leaving  the  battle-field,  Sergeant  Major  S. 
F.  Flint  writes : 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  269 

Winds  that  sweep  the  southern  mountain, 

And  the  leafy  river  shore, 
Bear  ye  not  a  prouder  burden 
Than  ye  ever  learned  before  ? 
And  the  hot  blood  fills 
The  heart  till  it  thrills, 

At  the  story  of  the  terror  and  the  glory  of  the  battle 
Of  the  Allatoona  hills. 

Echo  from  the  purple  mountains, 
To  the  dull  surrounding  shore ; 
'Tis  as  sad  and  proud  a  burden, 
As  ye  ever  learned  before. 
How  they  fell  like  grass 
When  the  mowers  pass, 

And  the  dying,  when'the  foe  was  flying,  swelled  the  cheering 
Of  the  heroes  of  the  pass. 

Sweep  it  o'er  the  hills  of  Georgia 
To  the  mountains  of  the  north  ; 
Teach  the  coward  and  the  doubter, 
What  the  blood  of  man  is  worth. 
Toss  the  flag  as  you  pass , 
Let  their  stained  and  tattered  mass 

Tell  the  story  of  the  terror  and  the  glory    of  the  battle 
Of  the  Allatoona  Pass. 

Alter  burying  the  dead  and  caring  for  the  wounded, 
which  are  placed  on  the  cars  to  be  sent  to  Koine, 
we  return  to  our  old  camp  on  the  Etawah.  At  no  time 
during  the  war  have  we  seen  so  much  of  sadness 
depicted  upon  the  faces  of  the  rnen  as  we  have  seen 
since  our  return  to  Rome.  The  men  stand  around 
in  the  camp  lonely  and  silent,  without  a  word  to  say 
to  each  other.  There  is  indeed  sorrow  in  the  Sev- 
enth; sorrow  for  their  brave  comrades  whom  they 
left  wrapped  in  death's  pale  sheet  on  the  Allatoona 


270  HISTORY    OF   THE 

hills.  The  Seventh  felt  sad  when  they  stood  on 
Shiloh's  field  and  gazed  upon  their  dead  and  wounded 
companions ;  their  hearts  were  moved  when  they 
saw  so  many  of  their  number  who  had  perished  on 
Corinth's  plain,  but  the  blood  that  flowed  from  the 
heroes  of  the  Allatoona  Pass  has  completely 
unnerved  these  strong  men ;  and  will  our  readers  call 
it  weakness  when  we  tell  them  that  after  that  work 
of  blood  at  the  Pass,  while  standing~around  the  camp 
fires  near  the  banks  of  the  Etawah,  we  saw  stalwart 
soldiers  weep;  saw  tears  sparkle  in  their  eyes  for 
those  brave  boys  who  had  surrendered  their  lives  in 
the  great  war  for  human  liberty  ? 

October  8th. — This  morning  we  learn  that  Koine 
is  in  danger  of  an  attack  from  Hood's  northward 
bound  column.  We  are  early  ordered  into  line,  and 
soon  we  move  out  from  our  camp  near  the  Etawah 
river.  We  do  not  march  far  until  our  advance  is 
checked,  when  a  brisk  skirmish  commences.  All 
day  we  keep  up  a  running  fire  with  a  considerable 
force  of  rebels  with  artillery,  supposed  to  be  a  brigade 
sent  out  by  Hood  to  reconnoiter.  In  the  evening  we 
return  to  camp  with  the  loss  of  one  man  from  Com- 
pany F — private  Hugh  H.  Porter,  mortally  wounded. 
And  so  another  good  soldier  has  fallen;  another 
name  to  be  added  to  the  Union's  roll  of  honor;  a 
name^  with  the  prefix  of  private,  but  none  the  less 
worthy.  As  we  look  over  the  Seventh's  mortality 
list,  we  see  the  name  of  none  who  was  truer  and 
more  valiant  than  Hugh  H.  Porter,  of  gallant  old 
Company  F. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  271 

| 

Since  our  return  from  the  Allatoona  Pass,  one  of 
the  Seventh's  drummer  boys  has  died ;  little  Willie 
White,  of  Company  H.  His  brother  John  fell  a 
victim  at  Allatoona.  Willie  was  left  at  Rome ;  he 
did  not  accompany  the  regiment,  but  when  he  heard 
of  his  brother's  death,  it  weighed  so  heavily  upon 
him  as  to  prostrate  him  upon  a  bed  of  sickness,  and 
soon  he  passed  away — dies  from  grief,  uttering  as  his 
last  words:  ec  Oh!  what  will  mother  do  now?"  We 
buried  him  in  the  soldiers'  cemetery  near  the  Etawah 
River,  and  a  little  white  board  marks  the  lonely  spot 
where  the  Seventh's  drummer  boy  sleeps.  General 
flood,  with  his  half  starved  army,  has  crossed 
the  Coosa  River,  moving  northward,  making  but  a 
slight  feint  on  Rome.  Sherman's  army  is  now 
swarming  in  and  around  Rome.  Hood  is  far  to  the 
northward,  and  all  is  quiet  on  the  Etawah  and  Coosa 
Rivers.  It  is  evident  that  Sherman  is  contemplating 
a  movement  that  will  shake  the  Confederacy  and 
startle  the  world.  The  military  are  all  active.  Last 
night  we  chanced  to  be  in  Rome  at  the  midnight 
hour.  Who  is  that  stately  personage  pacing  to  and 
fro  in  front  of  yonder  tent  ?  The  guard  tells  us  that 
it  is  Major  General  Sherman.  He  is  in  his  night 
dress.  Hood  was  then  crossing  the  Tennessee. 
We  know  that  some  gigantic  scheme  is  revolving 
in  that  master  mind ;  a  scheme  the  grandest  and  the 
boldest  that  ever  flashed  upon  the  world's  greatest 
military  minds,  as  the  sequel  will  show  when  the 
future's  sealed  scroll  shall  have  been  unfolded  a  little 
way. 


272  HISTORY  OF  THE 

The  wounded  have  all  been  sent  northward. 
Noble  company!  May  they  soon  recover  and  return 
to  us  again,  for  the  regiment  seems  crippled  without 
them.  Ere  we  leave  Rome  we  learn  of  the  death  of 
First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  J.  S.  Eobinson  and 
Sergeant  Edward  C.  Nichols,  of  Company  H — died 
from  wounds  received  in  the  battle  at  Allatoona. 
Thus  two  more  gallant  soldiers  have  passed  away. 
Long  and  patiently  they  endured  their  suffering,  but 
at  last  the  brittle  thread  of  life  broke,  and  these 
soldiers  are  now  at  rest,  The  indications  as  present 
are  that  we  will  soon  leave  Rome ;  how  soon,  we  know 
not.  The  soldiers  are  conjecturing,  but  all  is 
wrapped  in  mystery  since  Sherman  has  left  Hood 
free  to  operate  against  Nashville.  But  for  the  present 
we  are  compelled  to  let  the  curtain  hang ;  by  and 
by  it  will  be  swung  back ;  until  that  time  we  will 
wait. 


CHAPTEIi  X  VI. 

General  Sherman — Army  in  the  vicinity  of  Rome  and  Kingston 
— Hood  moving  northward— Leaving  Rome — Camp  on  the  Alla- 
toona  battle-field — Camp  at  the  base  of  Kenesaw — Passing 
through  Marietta — At  Atlanta — The  arrival  of  the  last  mail — 
The  new  commissions — The  army  launched,  forth  upon  the 
perilous  march — Camp  three  miles  from  Atlanta — Burning  of 
Atlanta — The  army  moving  on  four  different  roads — Camp  near 
Cotton  River — Crossing  the  Ocmulgee  River — The  orders  to 
mount  the  Seventh — Passing  through  Clinton — Gordon — 
Irvington — The  army  subsisting  on  the  country — The  Third 
Brigade  on  the  Savannah  and  Macon  Railroad — Their  work — 
General  Corse  lost  in  the  pineries — The  troops  on  half  rations 
— The  devastation — The  obstructions — The  Seventh  on  the 
Ogeeche — Standing  picket — Skirmishing — Running  on  to  a 
rebel  fort — Before  Savannah — Quarter  rations — The  fall  of  For 
McAllister — Captain  E.  R.  Roberts  escapes  and  returns  to  the 
regiment — His  sufferings  and  trials — The  troops  subsisting 
upon  corn  and  rice — Savannah  evacuated — Entering  the  fallen 
city. 

From  October  3d  to  November  10th  Sherman's 
army  was  continually  marching,  inanoeuvering  and 
skirmishing.  The  battle  of  Allatoona  had  been 
fought,  the  pass  had  been  defended,  the  mad  men 
who  rushed  up  those  rugged  hills  had  been  hurled 
back,  the  army  of  Georgia  and  Tennessee  had  been 
saved  by  the  handful  of  men  who  stood  there  facing 
the  grim  monster  as  man  never  before  had  stood,  and 
November  llth  we  find  the  armies  commanded  by 
General  Sherman  in  the  vicinity  ol  Kome  and 
Kingston.  Hood  was  far  to  the  northward.  Sher- 

12* 


HISTORY    OF   THE 

man  says  :  "He  may  push  on  his  conquests  ;  I  will 
leave  Thomas  to  confront  him.  I  will  enter  the 
heart  of  the  Confederacy.  I  will  visit  the  South 
with  war's  stern  realities." 

Orderlies  and  aids  are  dashing  hither  and  thither. 
The  order  has  been  given.  Hark!  We  hear  the 
drum  and  the  bugle,  as  if  to  say  "  Up  boys  and  be 
ready,  for  Sherman  is  going  to  make  a  great  stride  in 
the  South-land."  The  Seventh  is  now  ready,  shod 
and  equipped,  and  in  the  evening,  under  the  command 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hector  Perrin,  we  move  from 
Rome  about  six  miles  and  go  into  camp. 

Rome  is  now  burning,  and  tc-night  innocence, 
beautiful  innocence  is  crying,  all  because  its  brothers 
rebelled;  because  they  leaped  from  liberty's  lap 
and  struck  the  flag  and  swore  this  Union  to  divide, 
and  her  name  and  her  glories  to  blacken. 

November  lith. — The  grand  armies  are  now 
moving,  headed  towards  Atlanta.  To-night  we  go 
into  camp  upon  the  Allatoona  battle  field.  The  brave 
General  John  M.  Corse,  though  his  wound  is  scarcely 
well,  is  with  us  commanding  the  Fourth  Division. 
As  we  see  him  late  to-night  riding  up  to  his  head- 
quarters (having  refused  to  dismount  until  his  division 
was  all  in  camp),  we  thought  to  ourselves,  "  Brave 
Johnny,  thou  art  a  noble  type  of  an  American  soldier." 
As  we  said,  this  is  Allatoona's  great  battle  field;  here 
brave  men  sleep ;  here  noble  warriors  fought  their 
last  fight ;  here  sleep  those  who  stood  with  us  when 
Allatoona's  hills  were  rocking  amid  the  awful  din 
and  clash  of  steel ;  stood  with  us  until  they  fell. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  275 

We  are  now  standing  by  their  uncoffined  graves. 
Boon  companions  lie  here.  How  vividly  the  hour 
comes  to  us  when  they  passed  away  under  the 
shadow  of  the  flag,  the  pride  of  their  hearts.  We 
cannot  help  but  cast  silent  tears  to  their  memory, 
and  turning  our  faces  towards  the  north  star,  we  are 
wont  to  say :  Oh !  weep,  heart  of  the  North,  for  thy 
fallen  dead  who  sleep  here.  The  night  is  growing 
cold ;  we  will  now  wend  our  way  to  where  the  weary 
Seventh  lie  sleeping. 

November  13th. — This  evening  finds  us  at  the 
base  of  Kenesaw.  We  are  reminded  that  this  name 
has  gone  to  history,  associated  with  deeds  of  valor ; 
where  Logan's  battle  flag  flapped  against  the  sky. 
The  heavens  are  all  aglow  to-night ;  to  the  southward 
red  columns  of  smoke  are  curling  upward.  Signal 
lights  are  twinkling  upon  Kenesaw.  Evidently 
Sherman  is  conversing  with  Howard  and  Slocum,  his 
right  and  left  bowers. 

November  14th. — At  seven  A.  M.,  we  move;  pass 
through  Marietta,  which  is  now  slumbering  in  ruins ; 
we  are  now  in  the  advance ;  pass  the  old  rebel  works, 
two  P.  M.  In  the  evening  we  cross  the  Chattahoo- 
chee  and  go  into  camp  for  the  night  nine  miles 
from  Atlanta. 

November  15th. — This  morning  the  command 
moves  by  day-light.  The  Seventh  is  ordered  to  bring 
up  the  extreme  rear  from  the  Chattahoochee  to  where 
Companies  H  and  K  are  now  ordered  to  assist  the 
pioneers  in  taking  up  the  pontoons,  after  which  we 
move  on  and  join  the  division  at  Atlanta,  where  we 


276  HISTORY   OF   THE 

find  it  halted  for  dinner.  Here  we  receive  our  last 
mail,  which  brings  the  commissions  for  the  new  offi- 
cers of  the  regiment.  The  promotions  in  the  veteran 
organizations  are  as  follows  : 

Captain  Hector  Perrin  to  be  Lieutenant  Colonel, 
vice  Rowett,  promoted. 

Captain  Edward  S.  Johnson  to  be  Major,  vice 
Estabrook,  term  expired. 

Commissary  Sergeant  Frank  Morse,  to  be  First 
Lieutenant  and  Adjutant,  vice  Robinson,  killed  in 
battle. 

First  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Sweeney  to  be  Captain 
of  Company  A,  vice  McGuire,  term  expired. 

Quartermaster  Sergeant  Henry  L.  Balcom  to  be 
First  Lieutenant  of  Company  A,  vice  Sweeney,  pro- 
moted. 

First  Lieutenant  Edward  E.  Roberts  (now  prisoner 
of  war)  to  be  Captain  of  Company  C,  vice  Lawyer, 
term  expired. 

Second  Lieutenant  John  Hubbard  to  be  First  Lieu- 
tenant of  Company  C,  vice  Roberts,  promoted. 

First  Lieutenant  Seth  Raymond  to  be  Captain  of 
Company  D,  vice  Clark,  term  expired. 

Private  Elias  Lorey  to  be  Second  Lieutenant  ol 
Company  E,  vice  Miller,  term  expired. 

First  Lieutenant  Henry  Ahern  to  be  Captain  of 
Company  F,  vice  Knowlton,  term  expired. 

Second  Lieutenant  Thomas  B.  Atchison  to  be 
First  Lieutenant  of  Company  F,  vice  Ahern,  pro- 
moted. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  277 

First  Sergeant  William  P,  Hackney  to  be  Captain 
of  Company  H,  vice  Ring,  term  expired. 

Sergeant  D.  Lieb  Ambrose  to  be  First  Lieutenant 
of  Company  H,  vice  Pegram,  term  expired. 

Private  William  E.  Norton  to  be  Captain  of  Com- 
pany I,  vice  Johnson,  promoted. 

Private  James  Crawley  to  be  First  Lieutenant  of 
Company  I,  vice  John  E.  Sullivan,  killed  in  battle. 

Second  Lieutenant  William  C.  Gillson  to  be  Cap- 
tain of  Company  K,  vice  Hunter,  term  expired. 

First  Sergeant  Sanders  to  be  First  Lieutenant 
Company  K,  vice  Partridge,  resigned. 

Commissions  for  the  above  promotions,  with  the 
exception  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hector  Perrin's, 
Major  Johnson's,  and  Captain  Norton's,  were  received 
by  to-day's  mail,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hector  Per- 
rin's, Major  Johnson's  and  Captain  Norton's,  having 
been  received  while  in  camp  at  Rome.  The  regi- 
ment is  now  newly  officered  by  soldiers  who  have 
labored  long  and  faithfully,  and  Allatoona  tells  us 
that  the  above  list  merit  well  their  commissions. 
This  evening  at  three  o'clock  we  again  move,  our 
division  being  the  last  to  pass  through  Atlanta ;  we 
go  into  camp  three  miles  from  the  city.  Up  to  this 
day  communications  have  kept  open.  This  evening 
the  last  train  will  leave  for  Nasnville,  by  which  Sher- 
man will  send  his  last  dispatches  to  the  Government, 
and  ere  the  sun  goes  down  we  will  have  launched  forth 
upon  the  perilous  march.  The  destination  we  know 
not — everything  seems  to  be  clouded  in  mystery. 
The  camp  fires  are  now  burning  as  it  were  upon  a 


278  HISTOEY   OF   THE 

thousand  hills,  as  if  to  rival  the  stars  above.  The 
boys  are  all  in  fine  spirits.  We  to-night  behold  the 
conflagration  of  the  great  city.  Atlanta  is  burning. 
"  She  sowed  to  the  wind,  she  is  now  reaping  the 
whirlwind." 

November  16th. — This  morning  the  army  moves 
upon  four  different  roads.  The  Seventeenth  and 
Fifteenth  A.  C.,  comprising  the  right  wing,  com- 
manded by  Major  General  Howard,  the  Twentieth 
and  Fourteenth  A.  C.  the  left  wing,  commanded  by 
Major  General  Slocum.  AM  eyes  are  now  turned 
towards  General  Sherman,  as  he  sits  upon  his  rest- 
less war  steed,  directing  the  perilous  movements  of  a 
mighty  army,  which  if  successful,  will  add  a  new 
chapter  to  the  arts  of  war.  Will  he  succeed?  Will 
he  plant  his  banner  upon  the  ocean  strand?  His 
countenance  seems  to  say  "  I  will,  if  these  seventy 
thousand  warriors  keep  thundering  at  my  heels." 
To-night  we  camp  upon  the  banks  of  Cotton  Kiver. 

November  17th. — This  morning  our  brigade  takes 
the  advance.  At  eleven  o'clock  we  pass  through 
McDonald,  and  in  the  evening  go  into  camp  four 
miles  from  Jackson. 

November  18th. — We  remain  in  camp  to-day  to 
let  the  Seventeenth  A.  C.  pass.  We  live  high 
to-day ;  plenty  of  fresh  meat  and  yams.  Five  o'clock 
p.  M.,  we  move,  go  about  eight  miles  and  go  into 
camp  for  the  night.  The  soldiers  are  tired  to-night ; 
it  is  twelve  o'clock  before  they  lie  down  to  rest.  We 
are  now  far  in  the  South-land,  encompassed  by  foes 
in  the  front,  the  rear,  and  on  both  flanks,  but  the 


SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  279 

hearts  of  the  seventy  thousand  warriors  beat  high, 
and  this  land  is  feeling  their  powerful  tread. 

November  19th. — We  move  earlj  this  morning  and 
go  as  far  as  the  Ocmulgee  river,  where  we  go  into 
camp.  Two  pontoon  bridges  are  now  being  spanned 
across  the  river,  one  for  the  teams  and  artillery,  and 
the  other  for  infantry.  This  evening  Colonel  Perrin 
receives  orders  from  General  Corse  to  mount  his 
regiment  as  fast  as  stock  can  be  captured.  The  order 
is  received  by  the  boys  with  great  delight. 

Sunday  20th. — Before  daylight  this  morning  we 
cross  the  Ocmulgee  Kiver,  all  the  rest  of  the  army 
having  crossed  last  night.  Our  division  is  now  in  the 
rear  guarding  Kilpatrick's  train;  the  roads  are  very 
muddy ;  only  succeed  in  getting  ten  miles  to-day, 
when  we  go  into  camp  near  Monticello.  A  cold  rain 
is  now  falling;  the  chilling  winds,  how  fierce  they 
blow !  The  Seventh  suffers  to-night. 

Monday,  21st. — At  seven  o'clock  we  move.  Oh ! 
how  terrible  the  mud ;  teams  sticking  all  along  the 
road,  and  in  consequence  we  move  slow.  We  go 
into  camp  about  ten  o'clock  upon  an  open  field.  It  is 
now  raining.  The  regiment  is  upon  half  rations ; 
the  men  are  standing,  shivering  around  the  camp 
fires ;  it  is  a  terrible  night ;  the  fierce,  wild  winds 
sweep  through  the  Seventh's  camp.  Nothing  to 
shelter  the  men  from  the  howling  storm,  but  this 
matters  not.  "Let  the  world  wag  as  it  will,  we'll  be 
gay  and  happy  still,"  breaks  forth  from  the  soldiers 
as  it  were  in  harmony  with  the  elements.  There  is 
manhood  here;  there  is  fidelity  around  these  camp 


280  HISTORY   OF   THE 

fires,  and  how  sad  the  fact  that  there  are  men  in 
America  who  would  be  loath  to  acknowledge  it. 

Tuesday,  22d. — We  move  at  seven  o'clock  this 
morning;  weather  very  cool.  Mud,  mud  every- 
where ;  this  evening  the  .  trains  all  swamp ;  night 
comes  on  dark  and  dreary,  and  being  unable  to  extri- 
cate the  teams,  we  go  into  camp  two  miles  from 
Clinton. 

Wednesday,  23d. — We  move  at  seven  A.  M.;  the 
troops  succeed  in  getting  the  train  in  motion ;  we  go 
into  camp  in  the  evening  five  miles  from  Gordon. 

Thursday,  24th. — We  move  slow  to-day,  reach 
Gordon,  the  junction  of  the  Milledgeville  Railroad, 
by  noon.  The  work  of  destruction  is  now  going  on ; 
the  railroad  is  being  destroyed ;  we  cross  the  railroad 
and  go  into  camp  two  miles  from  Gordon.  The 
whole  country  is  clouded  with  smoke.  This  mighty 
army  is  making  a  terrible  sweep.  The  legitimate 
vengeance  of  this  government  is  now  falling  upon 
this  rebellious  people. 

Friday,  25th. — This  morning  we  move  early ;  pass 
through  Irwinsville  about  noon.  This  was  once  a 
very  beautiful  town,  but  now  lying  in  ashes.  The 
roads  are  better  to-day  ;  we  march  twenty  five  miles 
and  go  into  camp  at  five  o'clock  p.  M.  Our  rations 
are  now  very  short,  and  we  are  compelled  to  subsist 
chiefiy  upon  the  country. 

Saturday,  26th. — Our  regiment  having  received 
orders  to  take  the  advance,  to-day  we  move  at  5 
o'clock  A.  M.;  about  noon  we  enter  the  swamps  of 
the  Oknee  river.  Here  the  enemy  endeavored  to 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  281 

cheok  our  advance,  but  from  this  great  army's  front 
they  are  hurled  away  like  chaff.  The  pontoons 
having  been  laid  we  cross  the  river,  2  o'clock  P.  M., 
go  about  eight  miles,  and  go  into  camp  for  the 
night. 

Sunday,  27th. — This  morning  our  brigade  moves 
on  three  miles  to  the  Macon  and  Savannah  Railroad, 
and  for  our  allotment  destroy  six  miles  of  track. 
Night  coming  on  we  go  into  camp  near  the]  railroad. 

Monday,  28th. — This  morning  Company  H  is 
detailed  for  foragers.  The  Fifteenth  corps  is  thrown 
into  confusion  to-day.  The  Third  and  Fourth  Divis- 
ion get  all  mixed  up,  General  Corse  with  the  Second 
Brigade  takes  the  wrong  road  and  gets  lost  in  the 
Pineries,  taking  some  time  to  extricate  himself  and 
get  on  the  right  road. 

Tuesday,  29th. — We  are  still  in  the  pine  barrens 
of  Georgia ;  darkness  is  now  hovering  around  us. 
The  troops  are  all  on  half  rations,  forage  is  scarce. 
We  are  late  going  into  camp  to-night,  but  the  troops 
are  all  in  fine  spirits  this  evening.  All  seem  confi- 
dent that  success  with  its  glories  will  fall  around 
this  army. 

Wednesday,  30th. — To-day  finds  us  still  in  the  Wil- 
derness of  Pines,  not  more  than  halt  way  to  the  sea, 
which,  it  is  now  evident,  is  our  destination.  For 
two  days  we  have  not  seen  a  habitation ;  has  man 
ever  penetrated  these  wilds  before  ?  It  seems  not. 
The  roads  are  desperate  ;  our  supplies  are  becoming 
shorter  and  shorter  ;  darkness  seems  to  be  falling 
on  our  path  but  the  70,000  warriors  keep  moving 


282  HISTORY    OF   THE 

on  with  a  silent  but  unceasing  tread.  Every  step 
seems  to  say  we  will  yet  see  the  sunlight  from  the 
ocean  flash  on  our  serried  lines — seems  to  say  that 
we  will  yet  see  the  ocean  steamers  from  the  great 
cities  of  the  east,  laden  with  supplies,  deck  the 
waters.  This  is  our  hope — our  only  hope.  Late 
going  into  camp  to-night;  all  tired  and  hungry 
marched  25  miles  to-day. 

December  1st. — Thursday  morning  we  are  soon; 
on  the  way ;  we  make  a  hard  march  and  go  into 
camp  at  3  o'clock  P.  M. 

Friday,  2d. — To-day  we  lay  in  camp  while  the 
work  of  destruction  is  going  on  along  the  Savannah 
Railroad. 

Saturday,  3d. — The  country  is  all  wrapped  in 
name;  how  terrible  the  sweep  of  an  unchecked  army! 
"We  go  into  camp  early  this  evening. 

Sunday,  4th. — We  are  now  marching  parallel  with 
the  Ogeechee  river.  We  go  into  camp  early.  Now 
and  then  occasional  firing  is  heard  on  the  flanks, 
front  and  rear,  but  nothing  very  threatening  as 
yet  has  confronted  us. 

December  9th. — Companies  I,  E  and  F,  are  now 
mounted — are  now  moving  upon  the  war  path  as 
of  old.  The  non-mounted  portion  of  the  regiment 
are  in  the  advance  of  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps. 
To-day  we  find  the  roads  all  obstructed  by  the  fell- 
ing of  trees,  but  not  enough  to  check  the  army;  the 
Pioneers  keep  the  roads  all  free  from  impediments- 
Some  skirmishing  to-day  but  nothing  serious.  The 
weak  rebel  forces  seem  but  idle  toys  for  the  moment. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  283 

December  10th. — We  move  early  this  morning. 
Meeting  increased  obstructions  and  encountering 
rebels  in  our  front,  we  only  succeed  in  getting 
about  four  miles,  when  we  go  into  camp  for  the  night. 
Soon  alter  going  into  camp  the  Seventh  is  sent 
forward  to  the  Little  Ogeechee  river  lo  stand  picket. 

December  llth.— This  morning  we  cross  the 
Ogeechee,  and  do  not  advance  far  until  skirmishing 
commences ;  Company  K  is  deployed  forward,  and 
Company  H  barricades  the  road  with  rails.  Soon  the 
Thirty-ninth  Iowa  comes  up  and  the  entire  Seventh 
is  deployed  forward ;  advancing  a  short  distance 
we  discover  a  rebel  fort  and  camp  swarming  with 
rebels,  who  seeing  our  flag  appear  from  the  margin  of 
the  woods  on  to  an  open  field,  open  their  artil- 
lery upon  us.  Upon  the  field  we  find  ourselves 
much  exposed,  and  being  unable  to  advance  in  con- 
sequence of  the  extensive  rice  swamps  in  front  of  us, 
we  change  position  bythe  left  flank  under  a  heavy 
fire,'  cross  the  road  and  take  our  position  behind 
an  embankment  thrown  up  from  a  ditch,  where 
we  remain  until  night  comes  on,  and  then  return  to 
the  woods  and  go  into  camp. 

December  12th — Finds  us  across  the  Ogeechee, 
finds  us  before  Savannah,  finds  us  twelve  miles 
from  the  sea*  A  defiant  foe  is  before  us  disputing 
our  advance ;  this  day  we  may  fight  a  battle — may 
see  what  virtue  there  is  in  lead  and  steel.  The 
army  is  now  at  a  stand  ;  some  skirmishing  and 
some  fighting  is  continually  going  on.  The  troops 
are  upon  quarter  rations.  Will  we  fail  ?  Our  gal- 


284:  HISTORY   OF   THE 

lant  Sherman  says  no,  follow  me,  and  I  will 
lead  you  through.  To-night  we  hear  Slocum's 
guns  echoing  a  death-knell  to  arch-treason.  To- 
morrow's sun  may  set  upon  a  field  wet  with  the 
heart's  blood  of  warriors,  for  everything  this  eve- 
ning looks  warlike. 

December  13th. — With  but  short  intervals,  Slo- 
cum's guns  have  been  heard  all  day.  About  three 
o'clock  in  the  evening  we  hear  to  our  right  a  sullen 
roar,  a  desperate  crash,  a  whoop,  and  all  is  over ; 
and  soon  we  are  told  that  Fort  McAllister  has  fallen ; 
that  the  immortal  Hazen,  Ohio's  ideal  son,  has 
planted  his  battle-flag  upon  the  ramparts  there, 
making  free  our  passage  to  the  sea,  and  now  we 
hope  to  receive  supplies,  as  we  have  access  to  the 
fleet  anchored  in  Ossabaw  Sound.  This  evening 
Captain  Ed.  R.  Roberts  of  Company  C,  makes  his 
appearance  in  camp,  after  an  imprisonment  of  seven 
months  in  the  southern  prisen  hells.  The  reader 
will  remember  that  Captain  Roberts,  together  with 
Captain  McG-uire,  Lieutenant  Fergus,  and  about 
thirty  of  the  men,  were  captured  on  the  seventh  of 
May,  1864,  in  our  encounter  with  Roddy  and  John- 
son at  Florence,  Alabama.  The  captain  has  now 
a  large  crowd  of  the  Seventh  congregated  around 
him,  listening  attentively  to  his  heart-rending  stories 
of  rebel  cruelty.  "We  will  now  follow  Captains 
Roberts  and  McGruire  and  Lieutenant  Fergus  during 
their  wanderings  in  the  land  of  their  captivity.  After 
their  capture  at  Florence,  Alabama,  on  the  Yth  of 
May  1864,  they,  in  company  with  the  men,  were  taken 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  285 

via  Mobile  and  Montgomery,  Alabama,  to  Macon, 
Georgia,  where  they  arrived  May  28th.  As  soon 
as  they  entered  the  stockade  Roberts  washed  his 
shirt,  and  after  wringing  it  out,  approached  the 
picket  fence  immediately  inside  of  the  stockade  to 
hang  it  thereon  to  dry,  and  just  as  he  was  about 
to  touch  the  fence  he  was  pulled  back  by  a  comrade 
who  saved  his  life — saved  him  from  being  cruelly 
murdered ;  for  it  was  the  dead  line  he  was  about 
to  touch,  a  line  upon  which  many  a  noble  patriot 
Union  soldier  poured  out  his  h'fe  blood.  At  one 
time  while  here  they  were  compelled  to  be  two  and 
a  half  days  without  anything  to  eat.  After  remain- 
ing in  the  Macon  stockade  for  some  time  the  officers 
were  separated  from  the  men,  and  transferred  to 
the  city  work-house  and  jail  at  Charleston,  South 
Carolina,  and  while  here  they  were  continually  under 
the  fire  of  Gilmore's  guns.  On  the  5th  of  October 
they  were  all  moved  to  Columbia,  South  Carolina, 
with  the  exception  of  those  who  were  sick,  among 
which  number  was  the  gallant  Lieutenant  Fergus, 
who  was  suffering  with  the  yellow  fever.  After 
long  weary  months  of  suffering  known  only  to  those 
who  were  the  sufferers,  Captain  Roberts  and  a 
number  of  other  officers  made  their  escape  from 
those  wicked  men  who  sought  their  lives.  The 
story  of  the  Captain's  march  from  bondage  to  liberty 
would  alone  fill  a  good  sized  volume.  Guided  by 
the  trusty  negroes  they  traveled  one  hundred  and 
eighty  miles  in  ten  nights,  (lying  in  the  swamps  by 
day)  and  reached  Sherman's  army,  seventy  miles 
above  Savannah,  Georgia,  December  5th. 


286  HISTORY    OF    THE 

The  Captain  remained  with  Kilpatrick's  cavalry 
until  the  12th  of  November,  when  he  joined  his 
regiment  and  company.  Brave,  self-sacrificing  sol- 
dier, the  story  of  your  trials,  the  longings  that 
were  yours,  the  revolting  scenes  that  met  your 
eyes,  and  the  feeling  of  joy  that  came  to  your 
heart  when  your  eyes  fell  upon  the  old  flag,  will 
never  be  known  to  any  save  those  who  experi- 
enced like  trials,  who  witnessed  like  scenes  and  felt 
like  joys.  "We  now  think  of  those  of  our  number 
who  are  yet  suffering  in  southern  prison  pens,  and  we 
are  informed  that  some  of  them  have  been  freed 
from  their  suffering,  have  been  starved,  have  been 
murdered.  It  cannot  be  that  these  brave  men's 
sufferings  and  sorrows  which  they  endured  in 
this  land  of  cruel  wrongs  will  not  be  righted  in 
the  world  beyond  the  stars.  We  could  not  believe 
in  a  heaven  if  we  should  lose  the  faith  that  these 
men's  wrongs  will  be  made  right  above. 

December  20th.— After  the  fall  of  Fort  McAllis- 
ter, we  obtain  some  supplies,  but  for  the  seventy 
thousand  hungry  soldiers  they  soon  run  out.  For 
the  last  week  the  troops  have  been  subsisting  upon 
corn  and  rice,  the  rice  being  obtained  from  the  shocks 
in  the  swamps,  and  hulled  out  by  the  soldiers. 
Everything  in  the  country  for  fifty  miles  around' 
has  been  foraged.  The  army  is  still  investing  Savan- 
nah— the  siege  still  going  on.  It  will  be  over  soon 
however,  as  a  great  battle  will  be  fought  where  Count 
Pulaski's  Monument  stands;  for  Sherman's  army 
is  now  in  a  good  condition  to  sweep  Savannah  from 
the  earth.  The  next  forty-eight  hours  will  tell  the  tale. 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  287 

December  21st. — This  morning  we  walk  through 
the  Seventh's  camp,  and  everywhere  we  see  the  men 
with  their  clubs  hulling  out  rice  ;  this  is  all  they 
have,  but  they  are  in  fine  spirits,  all  seem  firm; 
seem  confident  and  hopeful  that  this  the  most  daring 
march  in  the  military  history  of  the  nineteenth 
century,  will  be  successful. 

December  22d. — Last  night  Savannah  was  evacu- 
ated— her  power  yielded.  The  grand  army  is 
tramping  now.  Soon  Sherman's  terrible  battle-flag 
will  be  flying  beneath  the  shades  of  Bonniventure, 
where  the  chivalric  knights  have  so  often  rehearsed 
their  gallant  deeds  to  the  South's  fair  ones.  With 
drums  beating  and  colors  flying  we  enter  a  fallen 
city.  Our  work  in  this  campaign  is  done.  We 
behold  rebellion  dying.  The  tramp  of  armies  ;  the 
burning  of  cities  ;  the  destruction  of  railroads,  have 
ruined  Georgia.  Such  destruction  and  desolation 
never  before  followed  in  the  wake  of  armies.  His- 
tory has  never  recorded  a  parallel.  Sherman  was  ter- 
rible, severe,  unmerciful.  But  his  severity  and  umner- 
cifulness  have  stamped  his  name  high  upon  the  "Table 
Rock  of  immortality"  as  the  boldest,  most  fearless 
and  most  consummate  leader  of  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury, and  second  to  none  in  the  world.  In  the  lan- 
guage of  a  Soldier  Poet, 

Proud  was  our  army  that  morning, 

When  Sherman  said,  "boys,  you  areweary, 

But  to-day  fair  Savannah  is  ours." 

Then  sang  we  a  song  to  our  chieftain, 

That  echoed  over  river  and  lea  ; 

And  the  stars  in  our  banner  shown  brighter, 

When  Sherman  marched  down  to  the  Sea. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Major  Johnson  on  the  flanks  of  theariny — Stopping  all  night  with 
an  old  planter — Lieutenant  Flint's  poem — Our  camp  at  Savan- 
nah— Fort  Brown — Bonniventure — The  wounded  men  ordered 
to  Pocotaligo — Leaving  Savannah — Crossing  the  Savannah 
River — Entering  South  Carolina — Crossing  the  swamps — Join- 
ing the  Fifteenth  Corps  at  Midway — Crossing  the  Edisto — Cross- 
ing the  Congaree — In  front  of  Columbia — Crossing  the  Soluda 
River — The  surrender  of  Columbia — The  burning  of  the  city — 
The  march  to  Cheraw — Crossing  the  Pedee  River — At  Fayette- 
ville,  North  Carolina — Crossing  the  Cape  Fear  River — The 
march  to  Bentonville — The  battle  of  Bentonville — The  march 
to  Goldsboro — Camp  at  Goldsboro — Arrival  of  new  companies 
— The  consolidation. 

During  the  siege  of  Savannah  Major  Johnson  was 
off  on  the  flanks  of  the  army  with  the  mounted  por- 
tion of  the  regiment,  scouting,  foraging,  doing  out- 
post duty,  and  gathering  up  stragglers  from  their 
commands.  After  the  fall  of  the  city  General  Corse 
sends  a  dispatch  ordering  him  to  join  his  regiment. 
On  the  evening  of  the  twenty-second  he  halts  on  a 
plantation  near  the  Ogeechee  River,  and  after  camp- 
ing his  men,  accompanied  by  Lieutenant  S.  F.  Flint, 
he  wends  his  way  to  the  planter's  mansion.  It  is 
now  dark  and  raining.  The  Major  knocks  at  the 
door,  and  after  an  assurance  of  friendship,  they  are 
received  into  the  household.  Their  sabres'  frightful 
clang  grates  harshly  upon  the  ears  of  the  inmates — 
an  old  man,  woman  and  daughter — and  for  a  while 
they  seem  frightened,  but  the  gentlemanly  demeanor 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTKY.  289 

of  t.-ie  Major  and  Lieutenant  soon  wins  their  confi- 
dence, causing  them  to  come  to  the  conclusion  that 
the  Yankees  were  not  the  wild  creatures  they  had 
been  represented  to  be.  The  midnight  hour  approxi- 
mating, they  all  retire,  leaving  the  Major  and  Lieu- 
tenant the  occupants  of  the  parlor.  In  the  morning,- 
while  all  is  quiet,  they  make  their  exit,  leaving  the 
following  beautiful  lines  (written  by  the  Lieutenant,) 
in  the  clock : 

Where  the  Savannas  of  the  South 

Spread  out  their  golden  breadths  to  sea, 

The  fearful  tide  of  war  ha  s  rolled 
Around  this  lonely  household  tree. 

I  know  the  hearts  that  linger  here, 
Their  broken  hopes,  their  wounded  pride, 

Have  felt  what  I  may  never  feel, 
Are  tried  as  I  have  not  been  tried. 

This  aged  man,  this  fair  browed  girl, 

What  wonder  if  they  learn  to  blend 
His  memory  with  hate — the  foe 

Who  might  in  peace  have  been  their  friend. 

One  common  tongue,  one  blood,  one  God, 
The  God  whose  ways  are  dark,  are  ours  ; 

And  He  can  make  war's  blackened  path, 
Rustle  with  harvests — bloom  with  flowers. 

And  here  before  he  seeks  his  rest, 

The  hated  North-man  bends  his  knee, 
And  prays,  restore  this  household  band — 

As  dear  to  them  as  mine  to  me  ; 
Oh !  let  the  fearful  storm  sweep  by, 

And  spare  this  roof  that  sheltered  me. 


13 


290  HISTORY    OF    THE 

After  our  entrance  into  the  city,  we  go  into  camp 
in  the  suburbs,  where  we  remain  during  the  night 
and  the  following  day.  On  the  twenty-fourth  we 
are  ordered  to  Fort  Brown,  two  miles  from  the  city, 
where  we  go  into  a  more  permanent  camp.  During 
our  first  days  at  Savannah,  the  Seventh's  boys  are 
seen  strolling  everywhere,  viewing  the  fortifications 
and  the  great  guns;  they  are  also  seen  pacing  the 
streets  of  the  beautiful  city,  looking  with  admiration 
upon  her  gorgeous  buildings,  and  standing  in  awe  in 
the  shade  of  the  peerless  monument  reared  by  a  gen- 
erous people  to  that  noble  Pole,  Count  Pulaski,  who 
fought,  bled  and  died  in  America's  first  revolution  for 
independence.  Can  it  be  that  traitors  have  walked 
around  its  base  and  sworn  that  the  great  Union  for 
which  this  grand  and  liberal  spirit  sacrificed  his  life 
should  be  consigned  to  the  wrecks  of  dead  empires  ? 
As  we  stand  and  gaze  upon  this  marble  cenotaph,  we 
are  constrained  to  say,  Oh  !  wicked  men,  why  stood 
ye  here  above  the  dust  of  Poland's  martyr,  seeking  to 
defame  his  name  and  tear  down  what  he  helped  to 
rear!  May  God  pity  America's  erring  ones!  In  our 
wanderings  we  are  made  to  stop,  by  an  acre  enclosed 
with  a  high  but  strong  palisade,  the  work  of  Colonel 
G.  F.  "Wiles,  Seventy-eighth  Ohio  Veteran  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  commanding  Second  Brigade,  Third 
Division,  Seventeenth  Army  Corps,  and  his  gallant 
command.  This  is  God's  acre  and  liberty's,  and 
emphatically  can  this  be  said,  for  here  three  hundred 
or  more  of  our  fallen  comrades  sleep  death's  silent 
sleep.  Here  in  trenches,  unknelled,  uncoifined,  but 
not  alone,  "  life's  fitful  fever  over,"  they  sleep  well. 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  291 

They  fell  not  in  the  deadly  breach,  nor  yet  on  the 
grassy  plain.  For  them  no  choir  of  musketry  rattled, 
no  anthem  of  cannon  rolled,  but  unclad  and  unfed, 
their  lamps  of  life  flickered  out  in  that  worse  than 
Egyptian  bondage — a  Confederate  prison.  For  long 
weary  months  they  suffered  and  waited  for  the  time 
to  come  when  they  would  inhale  freedom's  pure  air ; 
for  long  weary  nights  they  watched  the  signal  lights 
as  they  flashed  upwards  from  the  monitors  to  guide 
Sherman  through  the  wilderness  of  pines,  down  to 
the  sea;  long  did  they  wait  to  see  the  sunlight  from 
the  waters  flash  on  his  serried  lines,  but  he  came  not. 
They  suffered  on,  and  died — died  martyrs  upon  the 
altar  of  human  freedom ;  died  that  not  one  single 
star,  however  wayward,  should  be  erased  from  the 
Union's  great  banner  of  freedom.  Has  the  world, 
in  all  its  history  of  blood,  from  the  creation  to  the 
Christian  era,  from  the  reformation  to  the  revolution, 
ever  produced  examples  of  such  heroic  endurance  as 
this  second  revolution  has  given  to  the  world  ?  Echoes 
coming  from  the  soft  south  winds  that  sweep  along 
the  Atlantic  shore,  answer  no.  These  men  were 
murdered !  Yes,  murdered  because  they  wore  the 
blue,  and  fought  for  the  flag  and  freedom.  The 
poet  alludes  most  touchingly  to  an  incident  that 
caused  the  murder  of  one  of  these  lonely  sleepers 
who  plead  for  his  wife's  letters. 

"First  pay  the  postage,  whining  wretch." 
Despair  had  made  the  prisoner  brave — 
"  I'm  a  captive,  not  a  slave  ; 
You  took  my  money  and  my  clothes, 


292  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Take  my  life  too,  but  for  the  love  of  God 
Let  me  know  how  Mary  and  the  children  are, 
And  I  will  bless  you  ere  I  go." 

This  plea  proved  fruitless,  and  across  the  dead-line 
the  soldier  passed,  and  soon  a  bullet  passed  through 
his  brain,  and  his  crushed  spirit  was  free  with  God. 
What  a  sad  picture. 

"We  remember  when  we  stood  there  and  gazed 
upon  that  hallowed  acre  of  God's  and  liberty's.  We 
thought  of  those  wicked  men  who  whelmed  this  land 
into  those  dark  nights  of  war  ;  who  told  us  then  that 
the  Union  soldier  died  in  vain ;  that  the  names  of 
those  uncoffined  sleepers  there  would  be  forgotten 
and  unsung,  and  as  my  comrades  and  myself  stood 
there  revolving  these  thoughts  in  our  minds, 
we  vowed  over  those  graves,  before  heaven,  to  be  the 
enemies  of  traitors.  "Died  in  vain!  sacrificed  their 
lives  for  naught !  their  names  to  be  forgotten  and  un- 
sung !  "  Who  uttered  those  words  in  application 
to  the  noble  sleepers  there  ?  Who  spoke  thus  to  the 
weeping  mother  and  stricken  sister  ?  Traitors  in  the 
North!  Traitors  on  the  legislative  floors  uttered 
these  words  !  We  speak  the  sentiment  of  the  Sev- 
enth when  we  say  that  we  would  not  take  millions 
for  what  we  hate  these  men,  contemptible  in  nature, 
pusillanimous  in  soul,  with  hearts  as  black  as  the 
"  steeds  of  night."  Like  Brownlow,  were  we  not 
afraid  of  springing  a  theological  question,  we 
would  say  that  better  men  have  been  going  down 
with  the  wailing  hosts  for  the  last  eighteen  hundred 
years. 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  293 

A  few  days  after  going  into  camp  at  Fort  Brown, 
Major  Johnson  is  ordered  with  Companies  A,  H  and 
K,  to  proceed  down  the  river  to  Bonniventure/ about 
five  miles  from  Savannah.  Arriving,  we  take  up 
our  quarters  in  the  old  Bonniventure  mansion,  a 
fashionable  resort  for  the  chivalry  in  the  days  that 
have  flown.  During  our  stay  here  we  live  chiefly  on 
oysters,  which  are  obtained  in  great  abundance  by 
the  boys.  Major  Johnson  and  his  detachment  will 
not  soon  forget  how  they  gamboled  and  loitered  be- 
neath the  shades  of  those  live  oaks  down  by  the 
great  Atlantic's  shore. 

The  Seventh  remains  in  camp  at  Fort  Brown  and 
Bonniventure  until  the  latter  part  of  January,  1865. 
In  the  mean  time  Captain  Norton,  with  the  mounted 
portion  of  the  regiment,  was  ordered  across  the 
Savannah  river  into  South  Carolina,  joining  How- 
ard's command  at  Pocataligo. 

About  the  twenty-fifth  of  January,  Major  Johnson, 
with  his  detachment,  leaves  Bonniventure,  and  joins 
the  regiment  at  Fort  Brown.  Receiving  marching 
orders,  General  Corse,  with  his  division,  who  were 
now  isolated  and  alone  from  the  corps,  leaves 
Savannah,  marching  up  the  Savannah  river  as  far  as 
Sister's  Ferry,  where  we  find  Gen.  Slocum  strug- 
gling with  the  floods.  We  remain  here  until  the 
fourth  of  February.  In  the  evening  we  cross  over 
into  the  Palmetto  State  and  go  into  camp  three  miles 
from  the  river  ;  we  doubt  if  ever  an  army  encountered 
more  difficulties  than  did  Slocum's  command  and 
General  Corse's  Division  encounter  in  crossing  the 


294:  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Savannah.  The  river  was  up,  and  for  three  long 
iniles  the  army  was  compelled  to  build  a  solid  road. 

February  5th. — In  the  evening  we  move  about 
four  miles  across  an  almost  impassable  swamp  and 
go  into  camp.  The  seventy  thousand  are  now  making 
a  terrible  stride  in  South  Carolina,  moving  through 
the  swamps,  the  favorite  haunts  of  the  slave  hunter 
and  his  blood  hounds.  But  the  tables  are  turning  ; 
other  hounds  will  soon  yelp  down  here — Sherman's 
fierce  hounds  of  war, — they  will  go  sweeping  on  their 
path  for  freedom  and  law,  making  John  C.  Calhoun 
restless  in  his  tomb. 

February  6th. — We  move  early  this  morning;  our 
Division  is  moving  by  itself  upon  alone  road,  Gen- 
eral Corse  having  orders  to  move  across  the  country 
and  form  a  junction  with  the  corps  now  moving  from 
Pocataligo.  The  roads  are  desperate ;  we  only  succeed 
in  getting  about  eight  miles  to-day. 

February  7th.  We  cross  Black  Water  swamps  and 
go  into  camp  at  Hickory  Hill,  making  a  distance  of 
ten  miles. 

February  8th. — We  cross  Whippie  Swamp  about 
noon  to-day  and  go  into  camp  for  the  night. 

February  9th. — The  roads  still  continue  desperate, 
and  in  consequence  we  move  slowly.  In  the  evening 
we  cross  the  little  Saltkatchie  swamp. 

February  10th. — We  move  early  this  morning,  but 
very  slow  ;  these  swamps  prove  to  be  terrible  obsta- 
cles to  Sherman's  seventy  thousand.  We  soon  come 
to  the  great  Saltkatchie  swamp  at  Beaufort's  Bridge  ; 
we  find  the  swamp  all  flooded,  about  one  mile  wide, 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  295 

and  the  bridge  in  the  middle.  Weak  commanders 
would  have  faltered ;  things  indeed  look  frightful, 
but  General  Corse  gave  the  command  forward.  The 
Seventh  led,  and  into  the  great  Swamp  the  Fourth 
Division  passed,  and  through  it  they  waded,  the  water, 
winter  cold,  ranging  from  waist  to  neck  deep.  It 
did  seem  that  some  of  the  men  would  perish ;  that 
they  would  be  left  in  that  great  swamp;  but  all  passed 
safely  through,  and  gaining  a  footing  on  the  opposite 
side,  drove  the  enemy  far  away,  who  were  all  the 
while  disputing  our  passage.  The  ammunition  train 
is  now  ordered  to  move  across  (th©  ammunition  being 
raised  out  of  water's  reach ) ;  about  midway  they 
swamp,  and  the  soldiers  of  Corse's  Division  are  com- 
pelled to  go  back  into  the  swamp  and  carry  the  am- 
munition boxes  out  to  land. 

Remaining  here  until  the  trains  are  crossed,  we 
move  forward  and  join  the  corps  at  Midway,  on  the 
South  %  Carolina  Railroad.  Then  began  the  move- 
ment on  Orangeburg.  We  notice  that  Black  Jack  is 
at  the  head  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps,  having  arrived 
from  his  campaign  on  the  northern  line  and  assumed 
command  at  Pocataligo.  We  also  find  that  the 
mounted  portion  of  the  Seventh  are  now  (as  the 
boys  say)  members  of  his  staff.  We  cross  the  South 
Fork  of  the  Edisto  River  at  Halmond's  bridge  and 
move  to  Poplar  Springs  to  support  the  Seventeenth 
Army  Corps,  moving  straight  to  Orangeburg,  which 
is  taken  by  a  dash  of  the  Seventeenth. 

From  Poplar  Springs  we  cross  the  North  Edisto 
River  at  Skilling's  bridge,  and  on  the  fifteenth  we 


296  HISTORY    OF    THE 

find  the  enemy  in  strong  position  at  Little  Congaree 
bridge,  but  the  gallant  Logan,  with  his  thundering 
Fifteenth,  soon  ousts  them,  when  we  move  across  and 
go  into  camp  in  front  of  Columbia.  During  the 
night  our  camp  is  shelled  from  a  battery  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Congaree,  above  Grundy,  causing  con- 
siderable stir  in  the  Fifteenth  Corps'  camp. 

February  16th — This  morning  we  move  our  camp 
and  shift  around  more  to  the  left.  Brisk  skirmishing 
is  now  going  on  along  the  river,  with  some  cannon- 
ading. In  the  evening  we  again  move  our  position 
more  to  the  left.  The  capitol  of  South  Carolina  is 
now  in  full  view.  The  Saluda  river  being  pon- 
tooned,  we  cross  this  evening,  which  throws  us 
between  two  rivers,  the  Saluda  and  the  Broad,  which 
two  form  a  junction  at  Columbia  and  make  the 
Congaree. 

During  the  night,  under  cover  of  Stone's  Brigade, 
of  the  Fifteenth  Corps,  which  was-  crossed  in  the 
afternoon,  a  pontoon  bridge  was  laid  across  the 
Broad  River,  three  miles  above  Columbia.  On  the 
morning  of  the  seventeenth,  Colonel  Stone,  of  the 
Twenty-fifth  Iowa,  commanding  Third  Brigade,  First 
Division,  Fifteenth  Corps,  moves  towards  the  city. 
At  eleven  o'clock  the  Mayor  comes  out  and  makes  a 
formal  surrender  of  the  city  to  Col.  Stone.  In 
anticipation  of  General  Howard,  with  the  army  of 
the  Tennessee,  entering  the  city,  General  Sherman's 
orders  are  to  spare  all  dwellings,  colleges,  asylums, 
and  harmless  private  property. 

General  Logan,  who  stood  at  the  end  of  the  pon- 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  297 

toon  bridge  when  the  last  pontoon  was  laid,  says  to 
Howard,  with  his  black  eyes  flashing :  "  I  will  now 
move  into  this  hell  of  treason.  But  say  the  word 
and  I  will  sweep  this  city  from  the  earth."  It  is 
now  past  noon.  Generals  Sherman  and  Howard 
have  rode  into  the  city.  The  Fifteenth  Corps  is 
now  moving  across  Broad  river.  The  Seventh  is  or- 
dered to  stay  back  and  guard  the  train. 

It  is  now  night;  the  wind  is  raging  furiously;  the 
heavens  are  all  aglow;  Columbia  is  enveloped  in 
flames  ;  her  beautiful  architecture  is  crumbling  ;•  her 
gorgeous  mansions  are  falling;  the  work  and  labor  of 
a  century  is  being  destroyed.  At  four  o'clock  A.  M. 
February  18th>  the  Seventh  crflss  Broad  Kiver  and 
go  into  camp  near  the  doomed  city.  We  can  now 
see  the  great  conflagration.  Oh  !  how  terrible  those 
sweeping  elements,  causing  innocent  ones  to  cry  as 
they  behold  their  childhood's  place  of  play  crumbling 
into  ashes.  But  such  is  war !  Terrible  in  its  legiti- 
mate vengeance,  powerful  in  its  tread,  it  hearkens 
not  to  the  cries  for  mercy.  The  question  is  now 
asked,  "  Who  will  be  held  responsible  for  the  burning 
of  the  capitol  of  South  Carolina."  The  impartial 
historian  will  tell  the  world  that  Wade  Hampton 
burned  his  own  city  of  Columbia  by  filling  the  streets 
with  lint,  cotton  and  tinders,  and  setting  fire  to  it, 
which  was  spread  by  the  raging  wind.  But  it 
matters  not  with  the  seventy  thousand  who  will  be 
charged  with  the  burning  of  South  Carolina's 
capitol,  for  this  great  army  who  had  swept  a  conti- 
nent thus  far,  smiled  and  felt  glad  in  their  hearts 
13* 


298  HISTORY   OF   THE 

when  they  beheld  this  city  laid  low  in  ashes,  where 
rebellion  was  born,  and  where  pampered  and  devilish 
treason  first  lifted  its  mad  head  and  made  its  threats 
against  the  Union  and  freedom. 

From  the  23d  to  the  26th  heavy  rains  fall,  swelling 
the  rivers  and  making  the  roads  almost  impassable. 
Passing  through  Camden,  we  arrive  at  Cheraw  on 
the  2d  of  March.  Colonel  Perrin  is  now  in  com- 
mand of  the  mounted  portion  of  the  regiment,  and 
Major  Johnson  the  non-mounted  portion.  We 
remain  in  camp  here  one  day  and  two  nights.  From 
this  point  an  expedition  of  cavalry  and  mounted  in- 
fantry was  sent  down  to  Florence,  which  was  joined 
by  Colonel  Perrin  anti  the  mounted  portion  of  the 
Seventh,  but  it  encountered  both  cavalry  and  infan- 
try, and  returned  having  only  broken  up  in  part 
the  branch  road  from  Florence  to  Cheraw. 

Leaving  Cheraw,  and  after  crossing  the  Pedee 
river  we  are  again  put  in  motion,  moving  towards 
Fayetteville,  North  Carolina.  On  the  llth  of  March 
we  arrive  at  Fayetteville,  and  while  approaching, 
the  advance  was  for  awhile  engaged  in  skirmishing 
with  "Wade  Hampton's  cavalry,  that  covered  the  rear 
of  Hardee's  retreating  army. 

March  12th. — The  army  tug  Davenson  reaches 
Fayetteville  from  Wilmington  to-day.  We  remain 
here  until  the  14th,  when  we  again  move.  We  pro- 
ceed to  the  Cape  Fear  river  one  mile  below  town 
where  we  remain  until  noon  waiting  for  the  17th 
Army  Corps  to  cross,  after  which  General  Corse 
leads  his  division  upon  the  long  pontoon  bridge. 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  299 

After  crossing  we  move  on  and  go  into  camp  two 
miles  from  the  river. 

March  15th. — The  4th  Division  take  the  advance 
this  morning.  The  advance  encounter  Hampton's 
cavalry,  but  by  a  little  skirmishing  they  are  soon 
scattered.  "We  move  only  ten  miles  to-day,  going 
into  camp  for  the  night  one  mile  from  South  river, 
where  the  rebels  are  said  to  be  in  force. 

March  16th. — By  advancing  this  morning  we  dis- 
cover that  the  rebels  have  all  made  their  exit  from 
South  river.  General  Corse  again  takes  the  advance. 
The  South  river  bottoms  are  overflowed.  The  bridge 
across  the  main  channel  having  been  damaged  is 
now  repaired,  but  the  troops  are  compelled  to  wade 
the  bottoms  which  are  about  knee  deep.  Our 
advance  encounters  rebels  all  day — Butler's  and 
Wade  Hampton's  cavalry.  We  go  into  camp  at  3 
o'clock  p.  M.  It  is  now  raining.  Everything  looks 
frighttul  in  these  swamps  where  the  men  of  war  are 
tramping.  Mud  and  water  everywhere.. 

March  17th. — The  4th  Division  still  moves  in  the 
advance.  We  take  the  main  Goldsboro  road  this 
morning.  The  roads  are  desperate,  the  troops  are 
compelled  to  corduroy  the  roads  almost  entirely  with 
rails.  We  march  about  seven  miles  and  go  into 
camp  at  Clinton  cross  roads.  Being  now  in  close 
promixity  to  Johnson's  rebel  army  we  are  ordered 
to  throw  up  fortifications  and  remain  here  the  remain- 
der of  the  day  and  night  to  Tvait  for  the  left  wing  to 
move  up. 

March  18th. — 9  o'clock  A.  M.  we  move.     The  roads 


300  HISTORY   OF   THE 

still  desperate — corduroying  almost  every  step.  A 
great  many  refugees  are  now  following  the  army, 
seeking  to  be  freed  from  the  Davis  tyranny;  they 
are  enduring  much  suffering.  We  go  into  camp  to- 
night about  sun  down.  We  are  now  about  twenty- 
six  miles  from  Goldsboro,  North  Carolina. 

March  19th. — To-day  we  reach  Falling  Creek, 
where  the  mounted  portion  of  the  Seventh  is  thrown 
forward  to  the  river  bridge,  where  they  encounter 
the  enemy  in  a  brisk  shirmish,  which  for  dash  and 
vim  elicits  the  compliments  of  "Black  Jack."  Advanc- 
ing, General  Slocuin  discovered  that  Johnson  with 
his  army  was  strongly  posted  in  the  vicinity  of  Ben- 
ton  ville. 

March  20th. — We  advance  early  this  morning. 
The  Seventh  are  soon  deployed  on  the  skirmish  line, 
and  are  soon  skirmishing,  for  on  such  occasions  the 
Seventh  with  their  sixteen-shooters  are  always  called 
upon.  The  Fifteenth  Corps  gaining  position,  we 
commence  throwing  up  breastworks  within  cannon 
range  of  the  enemy's  works.  By  4  o'clock  P.  M. 
Johnson  finds  himself  confronted  wfth  a  complete 
and  strong  line  of  battle. 

March  21st. — This  morning  the  armies  are  menac- 
ing each  other  face  to  face,  each  remaining  behind 
their  works.  The  design  of  Sherman  is  to  hold  him 
there  until  Schoh'eld  and  Terry  can  advance  from 
Kingston,  North  Carolina.  Skirmishing  has  beeA 
going  on  all  day.  In  the  evening  the  Seventh  is 
ordered  forward  on  the  skirmish  line,  and  moving  for- 
ward under  the  command  of  Major  Johnson,  into 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  301 

a  creek  bottom,  we  provoked  a  fierce  fire  from  the 
enemy  stationed  on  the  opposite  side.  In  this 
encounter  Privates  Jacob  Groch  and  Gotleib  Burk- 
liardt,  of  Company  H,  were  wounded.  Other  noble 
men  were  also  wounded,  but  we  have  been  unable 
to  obtain  their  names. 

It  is  now  raining  and  night  has  let  her  curtains  fall. 
We  are  ordered  to  dig  rifle-pits  and  remain  on  the 
line  all  night.  It  is  a  dark  night,  a  cold  March  rain 
is  falling  upon  the  tired  soldiers.  The  chilling  winds 
make  mournful  music  through  the  branches  of  the 
tall  pines.  The  rebels  are  entrenched  close  to  our 
lines  and  until  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  there 
is  a  continual  firing.  The  Seventh  pumped  the 
death  dealing  elements  from  their  sixteen-shooters 
with  such  a  vim  that  it  made  the  enemy  think  that 
the  whole  army  was  on  the  line  of  battle.  Three 
o'clock  in  the  morning  the  firing  ceased,  and  at 
the  first  gray  dawn  of  morning  light  the  enemy  is 
discovered  to  be  gone  and  on  the  retreat.  Thug 
ends  our  battle  near  Bentonville,  North  Carolina, 
which  proves  to  be  our  last  encounter  with  the  rebel 
army  in  the  war  for  the  Union. 

After  the  battles  around  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
Bentonville,  we  move  towards  Goldsboro,  where  we 
arrive  March  20th.  As  we  move  into  Goldsboro 
we  are  reviewed  by  General  Sherman,  thus  ending 
our  campaign  in  the  Carolinas, — a  campaign  that 
will  furnish  history  with  many  startling  events — 
events  that  will  tell  of  privations  endured,  and 
of  a  fortitude  developed  in  Sherman's  seventy 


302  HISTORY    OF    THE 

thousand  that  had  never  been  developed  before  by 
the  world  in  all  its  martial  history. 

This  evening  some  of  the  soldiers  who  were 
wounded  at  Allatoona,  join  the  regiment,  having 
been  at  Goldsboro  waiting  our  arrival  for  some 
days.  We  are  glad  to  see  our  genial  friend  and 
boon  companion,  the  gallant  Captain  Hackney,  lately 
commissioned  for  his  bravery  at  Allatoona.  We 
notice  that  he  has  a  beautiful  mark  on  his  beautiful 
face,  the  compliment  of  a  rebel's  whizzing  minie. 
But  as  Grace  Greenwood  says,  this  will  be  his  patent 
of  nobility.  While  here  three  companies  lately 
recruited  for  the  Seventh  join  the  regiment  from 
Illinois,  which  are  lettered  and  officered  as  follows  : 
Company  B,  Captain  Hugh  J.  Cosgrove,  First  Lieu- 
tenant George  H.  Martin,  Second  Lieutenant  M.  D. 
F.  Wilder  ;  Company  D,  Captain  William  A.  Hub- 
bard,  First  Lieutenant  John  H.  Gay,  Second  Lieu- 
tenant William  M.  Athey  ;  Company  G,  Captain  S. 
W.  Hoyt,  First  Lieutenant  Andrew  J.  Moore,  Second 
Lieutenant  W.  J.  Hamlin. 

To  make  room  for  these  new  companies  orders 
are  issued  to  consolidate  old  Company  B  with  Com- 
pany A,  Captain  Sweeny  commanding ;  old  Com- 
pany D  with  Company  C,  Captain  Roberts  command- 
ing ;  old  Company  G,  with  Company  I,  Captain 
Norton  commanding. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Leaving  Goldsboro — The  news  of  Lee's  surrender — Arrival  at 
Raleigh,  North  Carolina — March  to  Morrisville — The  entire 
regiment  to  be  mounted — The  assassination  of  Abraham  Lin- 
coln— The  effect  of  the  news  upon  Sherman's  army — The 
march  back  towards  Raleigh — Camp  on  Crab  Creek — The 
march  to  Petersburg — The  march  to  Richmond — The  arrival  at 
Alexandria — The  grand  review — Our  camp  near  Washington — 
Leaving  Washington — Arrival  at  Louisville,  Kentucky — Camp 
near  Louisville — Camp  in  the  City — Mustered  out — Returning 
to  peaceful  life. 

After  building  houses  and  making  our  camp  pleas- 
ant and  comfortable,  we  move  from  Goldsboro  on  the 
tenth  of  April  and  march  towards  Kaleigh,  North 
Corolina.  On  the  twelfth  we  arrive  at  Lowell,  and 
while  here  we  receive  the  first  news  of  Lee's  sur- 
render to  General  Grant.  Sherman's  grand  army 
seems  wild  to-night.  The  pineries  ring  for  Grant 
and  the  Union.  Victory  has  come  at  last, .  and  the 
bronzed  and  stalwart  men  who  have  tramped  across 
a  continent,  make  the  air  vocal  with  their  happy 
cheers.  The  morning  of  peace  cometh  ;  we  already 
see  its  welcome  light  peering  from  behind  the  cur- 
tains of  war's  long  dark  night. 

April  14th. — We  enter  Kaleigh,  the  capitol  of 
North  Carolina,  pass  through  the  city  and  go  into 
camp  one  mile  from  the  outer  works.  To-day  Com- 
panies A  and  K  leave  for  headquarters  to  be  mounted. 
The  dismounted  portion  of  the  regiment  is  now  very 


304-  HISTORY    OF    THE 

small.  Company  H  and  the  three  new  companies, 
B,  D  and  G,  are  the  only  ones  now  remaining  to 
plod  their  way  on  "terra  firma;"  but  we  all  hope 
soon  to  be  mounted ;  especially  old  Company  H, 
who,  from  past  experience,  know  what  virtue  there  is 
in  mules. 

April  15th. — This  morning  we  are  ordered  from 
our  camp  at  three  o'clock ;  it  soon  commences  to  rain 
very  hard ;  the  old  North  Carolina  clay  roads  soon 
become  terrible.  During  the  morning  we  hear  heavy 
cannonading,  said,  to  be  along  the  front  of  Jeff.  C. 
Davis'  Fourteenth  Corps.  We  march  hard  all  day, 
wading  a  good  portion  of  the  time  in  mud  and  water, 
from  knee  to  waist  deep.  Night  coming  on,  we  go 
into  camp  at  Morrisville  on  the  North  Carolina  Rail- 
road, having  traveled  twenty  miles  since  morning. 

April  16th. — This  morning  the  dismounted  por- 
tion of  the  regiment  receives  orders  to  report  to  regi- 
mental headquarters  to  be  mounted.  Oh !  how  wel- 
come the  news,  notwithstanding  we  do  find  the  stock 
and  the  riding  material  somewhat  on  the  decline  ; 
but  anything  to  ride  is  the  word  that  goes  forth  now 
from  Company  H  and  the  new  companies.  To- 
night, for  the  first  time  since  we  crossed  the  Ocmul- 
gee  river,  November  19th,  1864:,  the  Seventh  Kegi- 
.ment  is  all  together  in  camp. 

April  17th. — This  morning  Sherman's  great  army 
bow  their  heads  in  mournful  silence  over  the  start- 
ling news  of  the  assassination.  While  we  write  we 
remember  how  we  were  made  glad  when  the  news 
was  read  to  us  "Richmond  has  fallen  !"  "Lee  has 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  305 

surrendered !"  Yes,  we  were  made  glad,  for  we 
knew  then  that  the  rebellion  was  dead,  that  the  war 
would  soon  end,  and  wild,  loud  and  long  were  the 
shouts  that  rang  through  the  forests  of  North  Caro- 
lina, in  honor  of  those  glorious  events.  But  now 
we  find  the  army  possessed  of  a  different  feeling  :  all 
seem  down-cast  and  sad  ;  a  veil  of  gloom  hangs  like 
a  midnight  curtain.  And  why  this  gloom  ?  "Why 
do  the  tall  dark  pines  seeni  to  wail  so  mournfully 
as,  tossed  by  the  wind,  they  sway  hither  and  fro  ? 
Why  this  sorrow  when  the  harbinger  of  peace  seems 
so  nigh  ?  Ah,  our  chief,  our  ruler,  our  friend, 
the  Union's  friend,  the  world's  friend,  humanity's 
truest  friend  on  earth,  has  been  stricken  ch|wn  in  the 
hour  of  his  greatest  triumph  by  the  cowardly  hand 
of  the  assassin.  We  •  loved  the  good,  the  noble, 
the  merciful  LINCOLN,  who  had  led  the  millions  of 
the  western  world  through  so  terrible  a  war  with  the 
end  so  nigh.  But  the  great  mission  designed  for 
him  by  the  Creator  Ifle  has  accomplished — the  freedom 
ot  a  chained  race.  May  we  ever  remember  that  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  died  a  martyr  to  freedom,  a  martyr  to 
law,  a  martyr  to  right ;  and  above  all  let  us  remember 
that  the  minions  of  slavery  slew  him  ;  slew  him 
because  he  was  the  world's  champion  for  the  rights  of 
man ;  because  he  loved  his  country,  and  had  a  heart 
that  went  out  to  the  lonely  cottage  homes  where 
the  disconsolate  widow  and  fatherless  child  sat  weep- 
ing for  the  loved  and  lost  who  had  been  swept  away 
bj-  wcu'r5  diuiv  Tra-rc  t,  clow  him  because  he  defied 
the  world; 


306  HISTORY    OF    THE 

"While  the  thunders  of  War  did  rattle, 
And  the   Soldiers  fought  the  battle;" 

slew  him  because  his  democracy  would  not  embrace 
the  slaveholder's  aristocracy  ;  because  his  democ- 
racy was  too  broad ;  because  it  breathed  a  spirit  of 
love  and  compassion  towards  earth's  chained  mil- 
lions, and  a  spirit  of  hatred  towards  pampered  roy- 
alty and  cruel  tyranny.  Although  he  is  dead; 
although  his  name,  spotless  and  pure,  has  gone  to  the 
Christian  calendar,  yet  that  liberty  for  which  he  died 
still  moves  on,  and  will  move  on  until  every  throne 
beneath  the  circle  of  the  sun  shall  have  been  shaken 
to  its  fall.  Moving  on  where  the  Danube  and  the 
Yolga  mov/ ;  moving  on  where  the  south  wind  makes 
music  along  the  Tiber's  winding  way;  it  will  move  on 
until  equal  rights,  the  darling  theme  of  Lincoln's 
life,  shall  be  established,  and  the  clanking  of  chains 
forever  silenced,  for  the  consummation  of  such  an  end 
is  certain.  God,  not  man,  created  men  equal,  and 
deep  laid  in  the  solid  foundation  of  God's  eternal 
throne  the  great  principles  of  man's  equality  are 
established  indestructible  and  immortal.  "When  that 
time  comes,  when  liberty  shall  unfurl  her  beautiful 
banner  of  stars  over  the  crumbling  tombs  of  empires, 
heaven  and  earth  will  rejoice  and  the  generations  that 
follow  will  look  back  upon  the  past,  ( perhaps  it  will 
be  a  century  or  more,)  and  say  of  Abraham  Lincoln, 
he  was  the  world's  leading  spirit  for  freedom,  truth 
and  the  rights  of  man,  and  the  world's  bitterest  foe 
against  treason  anrl  imporiailem. 
The  memory  of  Lincoln,  his  model  manhood,  his 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  307 

exalted  virtues,  his  heroic  endeavors  amid  darkness 
and  disparagements ;  his  sublime  devotion  to  the 
cause  he  had  espoused ;  his  love  towards  the  Union 
army ; .  his  great  sympathy  for  the  widow  and  the 
orphan  boy  whose  father  fell  with  Wadsworth  and 
Sedgwick  in  the  wilderness,  whose  life  blood  made 
crimson  Rappahannock's  rippling  waters,  whose  lamp 
of  life  nickered  out  in  Andersonville  and  Libby 
prisons  as  victims  to  a  ferocious  tyranny ;  these  all 
will  be  forever  linked  with  the  memory  of  the  patriot 
pilgrims,  who,  in  years  to  come,  will  bow  their  heads 
in  silent  reverence  before  the  marble  cenotaph  that 
marks  the  place  where  the  martyred  champion  sleeps. 
May  Americans  ever  love  to  applaud  his  virtues, 
for  virtues  he  had  as  pure  as  the  driven  snow. 
"  Vivit  postfunera  virtus"  :  may  the  Illinois  soldiers 
tread  lightly  around  his  tomb ;  may  the  prairie  winds 
ever  chant  requiems  to  his  memory,  and  may  the 
great  American  people  remember  the  day  when  their 
leading  light  went  out — when  their  brightest  star 
went  home  to  God. 

The  Seventh  remained  in  camp  at  Morrisville, 
until  after  the  surrender  of  Johnson,  when  we  retraced 
our  steps  and  went  into  camp  on  Crab  Creek,  five 
miles  from  Raleigh.  On  the  20th,  prior  to  leav- 
ing Morrisville,  Colonel  Rowett,  who  was  wounded 
at  Allatoona,  returns  to  the  regiment.  Never 
was  a  colonel's  return  to  his  regiment  more  wel- 
come than  was  Colonel  Rowett,  and  as  we  approach 
him  and  take  him  by  the  hand  we  remember  Alla- 
toona— remember  how  he  fought  there — rein  em- 


308  HISTORY   OF   THE 

ber  how  lie  fell !  how  he  bled  !  how  he  cheered 
his  men  on  to  victory.  He  now  assumes  command  of 
his  old  3d  Brigade,  4th  Division,  15th  A.  C.  We 
remain  quietly  in  camp  on  Crab  Creek  until  the 
29th,  when  Sherman's  army  break  up  their  camp 
around  Raleigh  and  take  up  the  line  of  march  for 
Washington  City.  The  Seventh  being  now  mounted 
with  the  exception  of  three  new  companies,  we 
lead  the  advance  of  the  15th  Corps.  We  arrive  at 
Petersburg  on  the  6th. of  May.  Things  around  here 
tell  very  plainly  that  war's  mad  machine  has  been 
at  work  here,  leaving  marks  that  will  be  seen  a  cen- 
tury hence.  We  remain  at  Petersburg  until  the  9th, 
when  we  move  towards  Richmond.  We  go  into 
camp  for  the  night  near  Fort  Darling  on  the  James 
river. 

On  the  morning  of  the  10th  we  move  towards 
Richmond.  For  some  cause  unknown  we  do  not 
enter  the  city,  but  are  ordered  into  camp  three  miles 
from  the  bridge  that  spans  the  James  river.  We 
remain  in  camp  here  until  the  14th,  when  Sherman's 
victorious  army  enters  Richmond.  We  pass  Libby 
Prison,  which  seemed  to  send  an  appeal  from  her 
dark  recesses  to  Sherman's  army  to  sweep  the  city 
from  the  earth.  But  Sherman  held  the  rein,  and 
Richmond  fell  not  a  victim  to  their  wrath.  We  pass 
on  through  the  city,  moving  on  the  road  leading  to 
Fredericksburg,  where  we  arrive  and  cross  the  Rap- 
pahannock  on  the  16th.  Night  coming  on,  we  go  into 
camp  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac.  In  the  evening 
we  look  away  in  the  distance  and  behold  its  winding 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  309 

way.  What  a  tale  of  blood  could  this  river  tell. 
But  the  story  will  never  be  known  until  a  book 
unscanned  by  mortal  eyes  shall  be  unfolded  before 
the  assembled  universe. 

On  the  17th  we  arrive  at  Alexandria  and  go  into 
camp  two  miles  from  the  city,  and  from  our  camp  we 
can  behold  the  Union's  capital  this  evening.  The 
flag  looks  beautiful  as  we  see  it  waving  in  the  wind 
from  the  old  Capitol  dome.  It  looks  beautiful  because 
beneath  it  treason  has  fallen,  and  it  tells  us  that  the 
old  Union  still  lives, — showing  to  the  world  the  possi- 
bilities and  capabilities  of  institutions  based  on  the 
voice  of  men  echoing  the  voice  of  God. 

/On  the  20th  we  turn  over  our  stock,  saddles  and 
bridles  to  the  A.  Q.  M.,  4th  Division.  We  part  from 
our  mules  this  time  without  any  regrets,  inasmuch  as 
we  need  them  no  more,  having  finished  our  work  in 
the  south-land.  But  the  Seventh  will  ever  feel  grate- 
ful to  Major  General  Logan  for  permitting  them  to 
retain  their  stock  until  their  arrival  at  Washington, 
thereby  saving  them  from  a  long  weary  march. 

On  the  24th  of  May  we  cross  the  long  bridge  span- 
ning the  Potomac  and  enter  Washington  City  and  pass 
up  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  and  by  the  White  House,, 
with  Sherman's  army  in  the  grand  review.  This 
was  a  proud  day  for  Sherman  and  his  army.  Flowers 
and  wreaths,  plucked  and  formed  by  the  hands  of  the 
nation's  fair  ones,  fell  thick  and  fast  at  the  feet  of 
the  tramping  army  as  it  surged  like  an  ocean  wave 
in  the  great  avenue.  Passing  by  the  stand  where 
stood  the  nation's  great  men,  General  Sherman 


310  HISTORY   OF   THE 

turns  to  his  wife  and  says,  "  There  are  the  Seventh 
Illinois  and  the  sixteen-shooters  that  helped  to  save 
my  army  in  the  great  battle  on  the  Allatoona  hills." 

On  that  day  there  were  men  in  the  national  capital 
who  were  loud  in  denouncing  Sherman  as  a  traitor, 
for  his  actions  in  his  conference  with  General  Joe 
Johnson.  Generals  Howard,  Logan,  Blair  and  Slo- 
cum  are  familiar  with  the  circumstances  that  con- 
trolled Sherman  in  that  conference.  The  seventy 
thousand  who  with  him  tramped  the  continent,  have 
learned  the  history  of  those  negotiations,  and  their 
expression  is  unanimous  for  Sherman,  and  to-day 
they  are  wild  in  denouncing  all  who  oppose  him. 
Catching  the  spirit  of  these  stalwart  men,  Lieutenant 
Flint,  of  Company  G,  writes  thus  : 

Back  to  your  kennels  !  'tis  no  time 
To  snarl  upon  him  now, 
Ye  cannot  tear  the  blood-earned  bays 
From  off  his  regal  brow. 

Along  old  Mississippi's  stream, 

We  saw  his  banner  fly  ; 

We  followed  where  from  Georgia's  peaks 

It  flapped  against  the  sky. 

And  forward  1  vain  her  trackless  swamps, 

Her  wilderness  of  pines, 

He  saw  the  sun  rise  from  the  sea 

Flash  on  his  serried  lines  ! 

Back  to  your  kennels  !  ;tis  too  late 
To  sully  Sherman's  name  ; 
To  us  it  is  the  synonym 
Of  valor,  worth  and  fame. 


SEVENTH    ILLINOIS    INFANTRY.  311 

A  hundred  fights,  a  thousand  miles 
Of  glory,  blood  and  pain, 
From  our  dear  valley  of  the  west, 
To  Carolina's  plain, 

Are  his  and  ours  ;  and  peace  or  war, 
Let  his  old  pennon  reel, 
And  ten  times  ten  thousand  men 
Will  thunder  at  his  heel." 

After  the  grand  review,  we  go  into  camp  a  few 
miles  from  the  capital  near  the  Soldier's  Home. 
Treason  and  rebellion  being  prostrate,  and  the  Union 
saved,  the  western  troops  are  ordered  to  rendezvous 
at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  preparatory  to  their  muster- 
out  of  the  United  States  service. 

About  the  first  of  June  we  leave  Washington  by 
rail,  taking  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Kailroad,  and 
while  passing  by  Harper's  Ferry  the  men  make  the 
welkin  ring  by  singing  "John  Brown's  soul  is  march- 
ing on."  Upon  arriving  at  Parkensburg,  Ya.,  we 
embark  on  a  Government  steamer  and  are  soon  float- 
ing down  the  Ohio. 

Sitting  upon  the  deck  of  the  proud  steamer,  Lieu- 
tenant Flint,  ever  full  of  his  poetical  genius,  writes  : 

Beautiful  river  ;  well  named  they  of  old 

Thee,  the  blue  flood  that  pours  o'er  thy  channel  of  gold, 

Speed  down  from  the  mountains,  thou  fairest  of  daughters, 

That  meet  on  the  breast  of  the  father  of  waters. 

Rush  down  from  thy  mountains  and  bear  us  along, 
With  bugle   and  drum  note,  and  wild  burst  of  song, 

Our  eyes  will  grow  dim  as  they  follow  thy  shore, 
And  thy  waves  bear  us  downward  and  homeward  once  more. 


312  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Bring  out  the  old  flags  ;   their  rents  and  their  scars, 

Are  as  dear  to  our  hearts  as  their  stripes  and  their  stars, 

Wave  your  old  flags,  men,  point  them  towards  home, 

Proudly  in  victory  and  honor  we  come. 

0  !  mothers  and  sisters,  and  sweethearts  and  wives, 

Glean  our  prairies  of  flowers  for  this  crown  of  our  lives  ; 

Strew  a  path  for  the  war-horse  that  moves  at  our  head, 

For  his  rider  is  dear  to  the  legions  he  led. 

Know  ye  aur  leader  ?    Aye,  millions  shall  tell 

How  the  strongholds  of  Treason  like  Jerichos  fell, 

From  the  streams  of  the  west  to  the  furthermost  shore, 

His  story  is  writ  on  the  banners  he  bore. 

Shake  out  your  old  flags  and  point  to  their  scars, 

Sherman  is  leading  his  host  from  the  wars); 

Wave  your  old  flags,  men,  point  them  towards  home, 

Shout  !  for  in  victory  and  honor  we  come. 

The  weather  is  pleasant  and  the  boys  seem  happy 
as  they  remember  that  blood  has  ceased  to  flow,  and 
that  a  conquered  peace  is  drawing  nigh.  As  we 
stand  upon  the  steamer  moving  so  queenly,  we  cast 
our  eyes  towards  the  Kentucky  shore  ;  the  hills  are 
green  and  our  feelings  tell  us  they  never  were  so  beau- 
tiful before.  Years  ago,  one  could  not  help  thinking 
of  the  many  sad  hearts  that  throbbed  over  there. 
But  now  the  song  of  freedom  is  sung  on  that  side  of 
the  river  as  well  as  on  this  side.  Yet  there  are 
memories  associated  with  those  hills  that  will  make 
us  sad  years  to  come,  for  many  brave  hearts  are 
stilled  in  death  over  there.  Over  and  around  their 
graves  the  green  grass  is  growing,  and  the  freedman 
will  weave  chaplets  of  flowers  and  spread  over  the 
graves  of  the  lone  soldiers  ;  and  may  be  he  will  sing 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS   INFANTRY.  313 

a  song  in  grateful  remembrance  of  his  fallen  bene- 
factor. Arriving  at  Louisville  we  pass  through  the 
city  and  go  into  camp  about  five  miles  up  the  river. 

"We  now  notice  that  Colonel  Rowett  wSarsthe  well 
merited  stars,  which  are  honors  fitly  bestowed,  and 
which  should  have  fallen  upon  his  shoulder  long  ere 
this.  But  as  it  happened  he  was  no  sycophant, 
and  never  crawled  at  the  feet  of  power.  After 
remaining  in  camp  here  a  short  time  the  Seventh 
is  ordered  to  proceed  to  Louisville  and  report  to  the 
post  commander  for  provost  guard  duty.  "We  go 
into  camp  upon  one  of  the  vacant  lots  in  the  city 
where  we  remain  performing  the  aforesaid  duty, 
until  we  receive  orders  to  prepare  to  be  mustered  out 
and  discharged  from  the  United  States  service.  After 
weeks  of  anxious  waiting  for  the  orders  and  the 
completing  of  the  rolls,  on  the  ninth  day  of  July, 
1865,  the  Seventh  Illinois  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry 
is  mustered  out  of  the  United  States  service.  The 
same  evening  we  cross  the  Ohio  river  and  take  the 
cars  at  Jeffersonville,  Indiana,  for  Springfield,  Illinois, 
where  we  arrive  on  the  llth  of  July  and  go  into 
camp  near  Camp  Butler,  and  remain  there  until 
the  18th,  when  we  receive  our  pay  and  final  dis- 
charge, and  to  our  homes  return  to  enjoy  again  the 
peace  and  quiet  of  civil  life. 

Kind  reader,  our  task  is  done  ;  through  more  than 
four  years  of  war  and  carnage  unknown  to  but  few 
nations,  we  have  gone  step  by  step  to  tell  the 
story  of  the  Seventh  in  those  turbulent  years — 
"years  that  saw  this  nation  brought  up  from  dark- 


314:  HISTORY    OF   THE 

ness  and  bondage,  to  light  and  liberty."  Our  mind 
now  reverts,  and  we  remember  when  they  fell — 
remember  where  their  life  blood  ebbed  away,  while 
it  was  yet  the  spring-time  of  life  with  them. 

"But  it  was  duty." 
"Some  things  are  worthless,  and  some  others  so  good, 

That  nations  who  buy  them  pay  only  in  blood  ; 

For  Freedom  and  Union  each  man  owes  his  part, 

And  these  warriors  have  paid  their  share  all  warm  from  the  heart. 

"For  it  was  duty." 

As  the  years  of  peace  'roll  in,  may  America's  tri- 
umphant and  happy  people  cherish  then*  names,  and 
passing  the  scenes  of  their  glory  and  their  last  strug- 
gle in  their  country's  cause,  may  they  drop  tears  to 
their  memory,  remembering  that  they  helped 
to  save  this  union  in  those  days  of  war's  wrath- 
ful power.  In  uncoffined  graves,  among  strangers 
they  are  now  resting,  and  no  chiseled  stones  stand 
there  to  tell  the  wandering  pilgrims  of  freedom 
where  the'y  sleep.  Hence  no  epitaphs'  are  theirs, 
but  they  need  none,  for  these  are  written  in  the  hearts 
of  their  countrymen.  Farewell,  ye  brave-hearted 
men  !  Farewell,  bright  hopes  of  the  past ;  farewell ! 
farewell,  noble  comrades  who  sleep  in  the  sunny 
south !  Peace  to  the  ashes  of  the  Seventh's  noble  fal- 
len ;  peace,  eternal  peace  to  the  ashes  of  every  fallen 
soldier  who  went  down  in  America's  great  crusade  for 
freedom,  truth,  and  the  rights  of  men! 

"How  sleep  the  brave  who  sink  to  rest, 
With  all  their  country's  wishes  blest! 
When  spring  with  dewy  fingers  cold, 


SEVENTH   ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  315 

Returns  to  deck  the  hallowed  mound, 
She  then  shall  dress  a  sweeter  sod, 
Than  fancy's  feet  have  ever  trod. 
By  fairy  hands  their  knell  is  rung, 
By  forms  unseen  their  dirge  is  sung, 
Their  honor  comes  a  pilgrim'gray, 
Tt>  bless  the  turf  that  wraps  their  clay, 
And  freedom  shall  awhile  repair, 
To  dwell  a  weeping  hermit  there. 

"On  fame's  eternal  camping  ground, 
Their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
And  glory  guards  with  solemn  rounds, 
The  bivouac  of  the  dead." 


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ERRATA. 


On  page  3,  in  last  paragraph,  for  "soon  it  is  swept"  read  "soon  the  news  is 
swept." 

On  page  5,  in  second  paragraph,  for  "marching"  read  '  marched." 

On  page  8,  third  line,  for  "July"  read  "Jnne." 

On  page  49,  in  first  line,  for  "moving"  read  ''morning." 

On  page  83,  end  of  first  paragraph,  for  "cause  it  to  start  a  tear"  read  "cause 
them  to  drop  a  tear." 

On  page  89,  last  line,  for  "Benick"  read  "Renwick." 

On  page  179,  in  first  line  of  poetical  quotation,  for  "warrior  sleeps"  read  "war- 
rior's Bleep." 

On  page  234,  first  paragraph,  for  "predict"  read  "predicate." 

On  page  265,  last  paragraph,  second  line,  for  "Fifteenth"  read  "Fiftieth." 

On  page  315,  first  line,  for  "mound"  read  "mould." 


£ 

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IBBS 


3 


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W 


Twisted  Loop  Elastic  Lock  Stitch, 

WILL  STITCH,  HEM,  FELL, TUCK,  (OKI).  BIND, 
Krald,  Quilt   and   Embroider  Beautifully. 

It  will,  with  the  FINEST  needle  and  thread,  run  from  perfect  work 
on  the  finest  Nainsook,  over  the  heaviest  beaver  cloth  and  cowhide, 
with  NO  change  of  needle,  thread  or  tension.  H  will  use  coarse 
sotton,  linen,  silk  and  twine.  It  runs  easier,  faster  and  stiller  than 
any  other  machine.  It  forms  a  flat,  even  and  elastic  seam,  differing 
from  every  other  stitch,  each  loop  being  TWISTED  by  means  of 

TUB  ":R.OTA.TIl>rQ-  HOOK," 
and  drawing  the  twist  into  the  goods,  thus  securely  fastening  every 
stitch,  so  that  the  setm  will  bear  to  be  cut  at  frequent  intervals,  and 
In  that  case  even,  the  seam  is  warranted  not  to  rip  in  wear 
and  under  all  circumstances  to  "survive  the  washtub."  Old,  wora 
out  family  garments,  bosoms,  pants,  dresses,  Ac.,  have  been  submit- 
ted to  Committee;  at  FA.llta  wnere  was  the  GREATEST  COM 
PETITION,  and  to  this  stitch  premiums  have  been  awarded 
for  it*  Superiority,  l>urublllty,  Elasticity  and 
Ueituty. 

A  MstsMU  device  prevents  the  possibility  of  the  machine  being 
run  in  the  wrong  direction,  or  the  balance  wheel  ever  wearing  or 
touching  the  drees. 

THE  NEEDLE  CANNOT  BE  SET  WRONG, 

Thus  avoiding  the  great  trouble  of  other  machines. 

NO    BltEAKlNG    OF    NEEDLES. 

The  blade  of  the  needle  is  lues  than  '.hree-fourths  of  an  lach  long, 
and  is  straight. 

The  Hemmer  and  Feller  can  never  be  set  wrong. 

Any  one  may  adjust  them  IN  THE  DARK.  The  hem  may  be  of 
any  width.  No  other  hemmer  or  feller  Is  like  Ma.  It  turns  t!io 
hem  on  the  right  or  under  side,  as  you  want  It. 

It  will  not  drop  Stitches,  as  the  needle  1s  always 
set  right,  the  blade  short  and  straight,  does  Met  vibrate,  like  longer 
ones.  It  ls  run  by  steam  at  3IOOO  stitches  per  minute — ether  ma- 
chines  at  only  4o6  to  1200,  with  safety.  They  are 

Manufactured  with  Mathematical  Precision. 

Hence  each  part  is  interchangeable  and  c«n  be  res.'Uy  replaced  In 
case  of  accident.  The  machine  cannot  be  adjusted,  hnce  will  not-got- 
out  of  order.  It  will  last  a  generation,  if  projxsrly  caroJ  for.  Nun* 
who  have  used  it  can  be  persuaded  to  use  anv  other. 

The  roundness,  evenness,  durability  IM  beauty  of  Its  stitch 

WEKE    NEVEK   EAUAL.EB. 

Its  Rapidity,  Absolute   Stillness,   Ease  of 

Motion,  narrowness  and  neatness  of  its  H  KM  and  r't-LL  wers 
never  approached  by  any  ether  machine.  We  can  call  In 
any  boy  or  girl  from  the  street,  and  with  three  minutes  Instruction 
they  will  set  the  needle,  attach  the  Hemmer.  or  Feller,  and  do  the 
work  with  entire  success. 

Tie  PRESS  universally  pronounce  this  the  Ilest  Family 
Newlnir  Machine  In  the  World.  Whatever  the 
merits  of  the  other  tnachiuee,  it  Is  no  •ssaNsJMsMt  to  say  the  Will- 
cox  Si  Glbbs  is  worth,  for  family  use,  double  that  of  any  other  evsr 
offered  to  the  public. 

It  received  the  O-old  Medal  of  the  American  Institute— the 
FIRST  PREMIUM  for 

"THE  BEST  SEWING  MACHINE," 

nt  the  great  New  England  Fair— the  Vermont  State  Fair— the  Pean- 
svlvanla  State  Fair — the  Indiana  State  Fair — the  Wisconsin.  State 
fair— the  Michigan  State  Fair— the  Iowa  State  Fair— and  at  over 
60  County  Fairs  throughout  the  West— making  more  First  Premi- 
ums than  were  taken  by  all  other  Sewing  Machiue*  together  IB  tfa« 

IT  IS  NOW  THE  GREAT  LEADING  FAMILY  SEWINB  MACHINE 
-A.3JH.    OVER,    TUB    "WORIjID,, 

Price  of  Machines,  with  hemmer,  feller,  gang/),  oil  can,  extra 
needles,  full  directions,  As.,  from  $56  to  $1tO. 

Barnum's  Self-Sewer  for  all  Sewing  Machines, 

Guides  the  work  itself,  avoiding  ths  bent  posture  and  (train  on  tht 
•yes.  Price  Ml. 5O.  Larfle  discount  to  Agents. 

We  take  other  machines  In  exchange.  We  sell  OIL,  Corrow,  SILK, 
TWIST  and  NUDLSS  for  every  kind  ef  Sowing  Machine. 

Agents  Wan  ted. -'Terms  to  Agents,  descrlptlr*  clm>l«i 
and  specimens  of  work,  sent  free  by  mall,  on  receipt  of  stamp,  or 

d°  L.  CORNELL  &  CO.,  Gen'l  Ag'ts, 
133  Lake  Street,  CHICAGO,  ILL 


35  °° 

£$  00 


CQ 


CX3 


DIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS.URBANA 


SSiiW  THE  SEVENTH  Sa«WT  U"" 


